Altus AFB Exchange Presents Freshman with Second-Place Prize in You Made the Grade

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE – Hard work and good grades paid off for Altus student Kamryn Hendrickson—to the tune of $1,500, presented by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

Kamryn, who will be freshman at Altus High School in Altus, Oklahoma, this year, took home the second-place prize in the Exchange’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes, which celebrates the academic achievements of military children.

Altus Air Force Base Command Col. Jeffrey Marshall and Chief Master Sgt. Justin Brundage and Exchange leaders presented Kamryn with her $1,500 Exchange gift card Aug. 9 at the BX.

“The Exchange is honored to celebrate Kamryn’s hard work and sacrifice,” said Exchange General Manager Hollie Heft Morales. “Her dedication to performing well in school is admirable, and the Exchange is proud of her and all military children who participated in the program.”

Kamryn, 14, is the daughter of retired Air Force Veteran Phillip Hendrickson, who works at Altus AFB as a civilian, and his wife, Jessica. Kamryn’s favorite subjects are math, history, writing and science. She aspires to become an educator or a coach when she grows up and would like to attend the University of Texas at Austin.

“My mom printed out the email saying that I had won, and I was so surprised,” Kamryn said. “I plan on using the gift card for school clothes and supplies, and I’ll share it with my brothers to use for back-to-school shopping too.”

This was the Hendricksons’ first time participating in the program, which rewards students who demonstrate academic progress or maintain at least a B average with up to $20 in Exchange gift cards and coupons each grading period. Students can enter the worldwide sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 gift card.

“I mailed in the sweepstakes forms for my three kids,” Jessica Hendrickson said. “When I received the email that she won, I thought there was no way. As a mom, I’m super proud of my children for their success, for keeping their grades up and being able to get rewarded with gift cards from the BX.”

Kamryn Hendrickson accepts her prize in the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program. From left: Altus Air Force Base Command Col. Jeffrey Marshall; Kamryn; and General Manager Hollie Heft-Morales.