Sibling Rivalry Heats Up as Hanscom Exchange Rewards Sisters For Academic Excellence
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE – Studying hard yielded great results for two sisters who took second and third place in the Exchange’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes—the first time in the program’s 23-year history siblings won in the same drawing.
“I thought it was a joke,” said sixth grader Fiona Somarriba, who took second and won a $1,500 Exchange gift card. Her sister, first-grader Hazel, won a $500 Exchange gift card as the third-place prize.
The homeschooled sisters’ father, Chief Hospital Corpsman Immel Somarriba, has served 20 years in the Navy, and the family recently PCS’d to Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Col. Taona Enriquez, commander, 66th Air Base Group, and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Desaulniers, acting command chief, 66th Air Base Group, joined Hanscom Exchange General Manager Dale Killip in presenting the prizes to the sisters at the BX on Feb. 10.
“It’s an honor to recognize the Somarriba sisters for their hard work,” Killip said. “They made history as the first siblings to win together. The BX is proud of them and the terrific example they set for all military kids.”
The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program rewards students who maintain a B average or higher with a $10-20 Exchange gift card and coupons each grading period during the school year. Students can then enter the twice-annual worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 gift card.
While the Somarribas were preparing to PCS, their mother, Kimberly, learned the You Made the Grade program was open to homeschoolers.
“The program is incredibly generous,” said Kimberly Somarriba, who took Fiona, Hazel and two of their brothers to the BX to receive their $10 or $20 gift card and Exchange coupons, including a free meal at an Exchange restaurant and a free haircut. “I was blown away. It was much more than just a gift card. It gave our family time to connect during a stressful time.”
Fiona said she isn’t sure yet what she wants to be when she grows up, but her favorite subject is history and she loves reading. She plans to use her prize for a new dresser for her bedroom and clothes. Fiona said her sister wants to get a new iPad.
You Made the Grade second- and third-place winners Hazel and Fiona Somarriba with their parents, Hospital Chief Corpsman Immel Somarriba (in plaid shirt) and Kimberly Somarriba (in glasses); and their two brothers. Also pictured: Col. Taona Enriquez, commander, 66th Air Base Group; Hanscom Exchange General Manager Dale Killip; and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Desaulniers, acting command chief, 66th Air Base Group.
