Copyright PhoneArena
Dierks, Arkansas, a town with population of just 900 (or 877 by 2024 estimates) secures the $1,000,000 T-Mobile prize of the Friday Night 5G Lights competition! Over 2 million votes Locals are very proud of their success, I'm sure. As we reported a month earlier, the Magenta carrier's national program, aimed at supporting small-town high schools and their football programs, narrowed the competition to 25 finalists. Now the votes are in and the Dierks High School in Arkansas will take advantage of the title that comes with a $1 million field upgrade. Dierks got over 2 million votes in the final phase of the competition. A way of life In the small town of Dierks, where fewer than 900 people live, football plays a central role in community life. Local families, from farmers to welders to small business owners, have long filled the stands to support the Outlaws (the high school team). More than 20 years without upgrades For the first time in more than two decades, the Outlaws' stadium is set for a major upgrade. As the grand-prize winner, Dierks will receive a $1 million stadium makeover, a renovated weight room, expert guidance on stadium enhancements, a trip to the SEC Championship Game for school representatives and a tailgate event in 2026 to reveal the finished improvements. The competition ultimately came down to a tight race between Dierks and Lebanon High School in Oregon, with both towns generating more than 3.4 million votes combined and drawing support from public figures and athletes. Lebanon earned $100,000 as the runner-up, while Dexter Regional High School in Maine secured $50,000 for third place. For next year's competition, schools and fans can already register at FridayNight5GLights.com. Should carriers support high school sports more? Yes. No. Yes. 0% No. 0% Follow us on Google News
