Army and Air Force Exchange Service Honors Prattville Student with 500 Dollar Academic Prize

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service recognized Prattville High School student Gabriel Gomez as one of the winners of the You Made the Grade worldwide sweepstakes. The program celebrates academic excellence among students from military families.

Gabriel, a 10th grade student at Prattville High School, earned third place in the competition and received a 500 dollar Exchange gift card. The award ceremony took place at the Maxwell AFB Exchange store where Maxwell AFB Exchange Store Manager Elea Vournas presented the prize during a small celebration.

Gabriel comes from a military family. His father, Lt. Col. Daniel Gomez, serves in the Space Force as a course director at the Air Force Global College. The recognition highlights the dedication of students who continue to succeed in school while growing up in military households.

Gabriel said the moment felt very special to him. He shared that he had never experienced anything like it before and that it felt good to see his hard work pay off. He also said he was grateful for the recognition and the opportunity.

Vournas said programs like You Made the Grade help recognize the unique experiences of military children. She explained that many military families move often and face challenges that many other families do not experience, and the program helps celebrate students who continue to perform well in school despite those changes.

Outside of school, Gabriel enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, and working as a lifeguard. He plans to use the gift card he received from the Exchange to buy a new gaming console.

The You Made the Grade sweepstakes has been recognizing academic achievement since the year 2000. Each year the program awards three students from military families around the world with Exchange gift cards to celebrate their hard work and dedication to education. For the fall 2025 semester, the program received more than 1400 entries worldwide.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has served military communities since 1895. The organization provides goods and services to Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families at military locations around the world. The Exchange operates as one of the largest retailers in the United States and reinvests its earnings into programs that support military communities and quality of life initiatives.

Through programs like You Made the Grade, the Exchange continues to highlight the achievements of military family members and support the next generation of students who are working hard to succeed in school and in their future careers.