An Augusta Christian School student plans to give back after winning the top prize in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s “You Made The Grade” sweepstakes.
Trenton Hall, 14, received a $2,000 Exchange gift card grand prize at the Fort Gordon Exchange on Aug. 12, according to a news release.
“I plan to save the gift card until I visit the Lydia Project, which offers support services to women undergoing cancer treatment. I want to use it to buy supplies for my volunteer shifts,” Trenton said.
Any remaining funds will be used for Trenton’s school supplies.
Cancer Support Services, formerly known as the Lydia Project, helps women undergoing treatment for cancer through a variety of services such as emergency financial assistance, housing during visits to Augusta for treatment and transportation to cancer-related appointments.
“I feel so grateful and blessed to have been chosen. I was really surprised when my mom told me I was chosen in the first place,” Trenton said.
The scholarly sweepstakes rewards military students for going above and beyond in their studies. More than 2,300 students with a military connection entered the drawing after maintaining at least a B average during the spring semester, the release said.
Trenton’s parents are both Army retirees with a combined 42 years of service. His mother, Tameka M. Hall, served 22 years and retired as chief warrant officer three. His father, Robert E. Hall Sr., served 20 years and retired as master sergeant. Mrs. Hall, who works as a Sustainment Division deputy at Fort Gordon, was browsing the Exchange website and discovered the “You Made The Grade” program and encouraged him to apply.
“As a parent, I felt excited and incredibly proud because Trenton loves school and puts in a lot of effort both inside and outside of the classroom,” Tameka Hall said. “I truly feel blessed to have such a wonderful child.”
Through the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program, first- through 12th-graders with a B average or higher are eligible to receive a coupon book filled with Exchange discounts and a sweepstakes entry form for a shot at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 prize. The program is intended to reward military students who excel in the classroom. Those who enter must be dependents of authorized Exchange shoppers.
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