HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Buckhorn and Hartselle High Schools received word this week they will each be awarded $5,000 as part of a T-Mobile program highlighting small-town football teams. In addition, the schools are in contention for a $2 million "grand prize" for a technology makeover.
The T-Mobile "Friday Night 5G Lights" campaign provides 300 smaller high schools across the country with a $5,000 prize. From that pool of 300, 16 finalists will get a $25,000 grant as well as a T-Mobile-sponsored celebration at a home football game.
A single grand prize-winning high school will receive a $100,000 grant, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, 5G network upgrades, consultation with football field experts "to get pro tips to elevate the game," a complete weight room upgrade supplied by Rob Gronkowski's Gronk Fitness, and a celebratory tailgate party with live music and a 5G-powered halftime drone show. The estimated value of the prize package is about $2 million.
What do our local schools need to do in order to pull out the win? They have to show school spirit.
According to contest rules, the 300 schools selected are asked to demonstrate school spirit in whatever way they choose, then post the results on Instagram.
In early October, 16 schools will advance to the semifinals. These schools will be asked to produce a 90-second "hype video" demonstrating school and community spirit. The group that gets the most likes on Instagram will be deemed the grand prize winner.
Entries are accepted through Sept. 20; full contest rules can be found here.
FOX54 is in no way connected to or sponsoring this promotion.