USAG Stuttgart Middle Schooler Wins $2,000 Grand Prize in ‘You Made the Grade’ Sweepstakes
When Naya Johnson, a fifth-grader at Patch Middle School at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart in Germany, found out she won a $2,000 gift card in the Exchange’s You Made the Grade sweepstakes, she was more surprised than most winners.
“I had forgotten that I entered into the drawing!” said Naya, who was randomly selected as the grand-prize winner from more than 850 entrants in the sweepstakes. “After I remembered the contest, I was excited.”
“You Made the Grade” grand-prize winner Naya Johnson with her dad, naval aviator Cdr. Aaron Johnson, who serves as the Deputy Chief of the EUCOM Reserve Management Office, mom Colette, and younger brother and sister.
The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program rewards students in first through 12th grades for above-average academic achievement to inspire them to continue striving for excellence. Military children who maintain a B average or higher can bring their report cards each grading period to their local Exchange for a gift card and other prizes. Students can then enter the worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card.
USAG Stuttgart Chief of Staff Maj. Craig Bonham, EUCOM Commandant Col. Ryan Roseberry and AFRICOM Commandant Col. Lynn Ray joined Exchange Panzer General Manager Carla McDowell and Exchange Main Store Manager Robin Boylan in presenting Naya with her prize at the Exchange on Jan. 27. Naya was joined by her parents—mom, Colette, and dad, naval aviator Cdr. Aaron Johnson, who serves as the Deputy Chief of the EUCOM Reserve Management Office—and two younger siblings.
“The Exchange is thrilled to award this prize to Naya for all her hard work in school,” McDowell said. “She’s a great example to her peers, and we’re proud that she’s part of our community.”
Naya’s favorite subjects are social studies, video production and piano. Outside of school, she plays soccer and basketball.
This was the first time the Johnson family had entered the sweepstakes, and though Naya is not yet sure how she’ll spend her winnings, she plans to share her good fortune with others.
“I’m still thinking about it,” she said. “I do know that I want to save some of the money to buy gifts for kids in need.”
This year’s You Made the Grade program is sponsored by American Greetings. The next sweepstakes drawing will take place in June.
