Fort Buchanan Fourth Grader Takes 1st in ‘You Made the Grade’

FORT BUCHANAN – Bayamon Military Academy fourth grader Ana Avila put in the work, so she reaped the biggest reward of the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program: a $2,000 gift card.

Fort Buchanan Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Roderick Hendricks,  Garrison Commander Col. Charles Moulton and Deputy Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Sean Cook joined Exchange General Manager Rochelle Tolentino in presenting Ana and her family with her prize during a celebration at the PX on Aug. 8.

“Ana is a shining example of a star student,” Tolentino said. “To be included in her education journey and commend her dedication is an honor we don’t take lightly.”

Ana is the daughter of Johannie and Eduardo Avila, a Department of Defense civilian working at Children and Youth Services on Fort Buchanan. Her favorite subjects are math and science.

She also said she likes visiting the store on Fort Buchanan. “I love going to the Exchange,” Ana said. “They have a lot of cool stuff there.”

Her father expressed his excitement for her. “I was surprised at first,” Eduardo Avila said. “At first, I thought this was only for Puerto Rico, but when I saw it was global, I thought, ‘Wow, we are so lucky to have won.’”

Ana hopes to be a cartoonist when she grows up. She plans to buy an iPad and drawing pen with her prize money, which she also plans to split with her younger sister, third grader Emma.

“She was surprised she won,” Avila said. “She was asking me right away how much money she won.”

For the last 24 years, the DoD retailer’s program has been rewarding military children for their academic excellence.

In both his work and personal life, Avila appreciates that the Exchange rewards students for their academic achievement.

“At the youth center, I tell the kids all the time: Take your report card to the Exchange and get your gift cards. It’s free!”

The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program rewards students who maintain a B average or higher with a $20 or $10 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.

Ana Avila accepts her first-place prize in the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program. From left; Fort Buchanan Exchange Assistant Store Manager Gisela Rivera; General Manager Rochelle Tolentino, Garrison Commander Col. Charles Moulton, Ana’s mother Johannie Santiago and father Eduardo Avila, Ana, her sister Emma Avila, Command Sgt. Maj. Roderick Hendricks and Deputy Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Sean Cook.