Long Beach High School wins $25,000 from T-Mobile, needs votes for next round
Long Beach Breeze
A $25,000 T-Mobile check made out to Long Beach High School was presented during halftime of a recent football game.
Long Beach High School has $25,000 from T-Mobile in hand and a chance at much more, but the school needs the community’s help to get there.
The school was presented with a $25,000 check during halftime of a recent football game after being named a Division Finalist in the third annual T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest. State Representative Richard Bennett joined the celebration, along with school board members Frank Castiglia and Scott Rishel. The school district also credited Athletic Director Bob Reeves, who took the initiative to apply for the contest.
Friday Night 5G Lights is a T-Mobile program that rewards high school football communities and aims to build school pride. T-Mobile says it heard from nearly 2,500 schools this season. Finalists were chosen based on community impact, need, creativity, school pride, social media participation and overall community engagement.
Forty schools made the finalist list across the country, ten each in the West, Midwest, South and East divisions. Only one other Mississippi school was selected, Natchez High School.
When asked what set Long Beach apart, T-Mobile representatives said it was “the way you told your story, the story of your schools and how much heart you all have.”
“This incredible recognition would not have been possible without our amazing community,” said Long Beach School District officials. “Every share, every post and every show of support helps amplify our story and demonstrate what makes Long Beach so special.”
The next goal is to become a Division Champion, and that depends on votes. Fans can vote once a day, every day, through October 25 at bit.ly/47QWG2r. T-Mobile also allows voting through the T-Life app. A valid mobile phone number is required for each vote. Finalists can earn bonus votes by completing social media challenges during special Spirit Weeks.
The school with the most votes in each division becomes a Division Champion, winning $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym and a $5,000 student leadership award. The four champions will be announced October 29, and fans will vote again from October 29 through November 8 to choose the grand prize winner. That school will receive a $1 million home field upgrade and will be announced November 12.
For more information about the contest, visit t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights.
