Lebanon High School receives $100K grant from T-Mobile for football stadium

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- After competing in the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G lights competition this month, the Lebanon High School football program will receive a substantial grant to fix up its football stadium.

While they fell just short of the grand prize of $1 million, the school's second-place finish earned them $100,000 from T-Mobile.

The purpose of the nationwide competition was to give a prize pack worth $1 million to the rural high school that got the most votes to fix up their football stadium.

The school's grandstands are currently unsafe to use and will be demolished.

Lebanon amassed nearly 1.5 million votes -- which was 500,000 votes off the leader but nearly a million more than the third-place school.

“We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and community for the way they rallied together,” said Lebanon Community School District Superintendent Jennifer Meckley. “What began as a contest turned into a celebration of Warrior pride and unity, and we are grateful to T-Mobile for recognizing that effort.”

“Lebanon High School is incredibly proud and grateful to accept this $100,000 contribution from T-Mobile,” added LHS Principal Craig Swanson. “This journey has showcased the best of us, and we deeply appreciate the overwhelming support we received from our school, our community, and the State of Oregon. I love Lebanon, Oregon, and am thankful that the rest of the state and nation got a glimpse of how great and supportive this community truly is.”

Every school that entered got $1,000, and those who made the top 25 received an additional $25,000.