T-Mobile announced Oct. 30 that the Lebanon Warriors have scored an additional $100,000 in the company’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition — bringing Lebanon’s total winnings to $130,000.
Lebanon finished second to Dierks High School in Arkansas, which will receive $1 million for a stadium makeover.
Dierks came out on top in the competition, involving 2,100 high schools across the nation, after the state of Arkansas rallied behind the tiny school (Dierks had a population of 960 in the 2020 census, down from 1,333 in 2010), located just north of Texarkana, Texas. Dierks finished with 1,988,665 votes. Lebanon was second with 1,457,848 votes — a difference of 530,817. Lebanon’s total was nearly triple that of Dexter Regional High School of Dexter, Maine, which finished third.
Lebanon’s award comes in addition to the $25,000 the school earned as a Top 25 finalist, along with $1,000 for applying, bringing the total to $126,000 in cash support for the high school.
Additionally, the school earned $5,000 from taking part in the T-Mobile contest last year.
“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 was the only Oregon school to reach the Top 25 in the national competition. The Friday Night 5G Lights program shines a spotlight on high schools demonstrating exceptional school spirit and community support.
“Lebanon High School is incredibly proud and grateful to accept this $100,000 contribution from T-Mobile,” said 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.”
The Lebanon Community School District plans to set aside the funds to address the grandstands at Heath Stadium. The grandstands, built in 1957, were closed earlier this year due to structural issues. Currently, Warrior fans sit in the small visiting section of the stadium, and visitors sit on a set of bleachers on either side of the closed grandstands.
More information on the grandstands on the district’s website: www.lebanon.k12.or.us/connect/heath-stadium-grandstands.