Gila Ridge High School was recently named a top 40 finalist in the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights competition.
The nationwide contest supports high schools in small towns with cash prizes and the chance for a $1 million home field upgrade and a tailgate celebration.
GRHS was selected from nearly 2,500 schools across the country, earning $25,000 and a T-Mobile-hosted home game celebration, which will take place Friday, Oct. 23.
Now, the Hawks are competing for the grand prize, and they’ll be relying on the community’s votes to earn it.
Through Oct. 25, community members can vote daily to help make GRHS the West Division Champion and advance the school to the final round.
GRHS Athletic Director Johannah Elliott explained that the school’s Veterans Memorial Stadium has been home to countless Gila Ridge athletes and athletic programs over the past 20 years. It’s also served as a district facility for Special Olympics and other community events, such as Arizona Western College commencement ceremonies.
“Advancing to the top four would allow us to invest in our athletic facilities and provide essential equipment,” Elliott said. “We hope our Yuma and greater community will rally behind the Hawks and help us continue building a strong legacy for our student-athletes and the community we serve.”
Gila Ridge will learn if it’s advancing to the final round on Oct. 29, when the four Division Champions are announced. Each champion will receive cash and other prizes, including an upgrade to their athletic facilities.
Reaching the top 40 finalist stage, however, is already a notable accomplishment. To celebrate the occasion, representatives from local T-Mobile stores visited Gila Ridge during lunch on Oct. 8 to share the news with students and encourage participation in the competition.
Students who showed they voted for Gila Ridge received T-Mobile merchandise. They also enjoyed games provided by T-Mobile and performances by the Gila Ridge band and Spiritline, showcasing their school spirit.
According to T-Mobile, Gila Ridge was selected based on community impact, need, creativity, school pride, social media participation and overall community engagement in the competition.
“The Yuma community has incredible heart and pride, and it’s great to see that spirit shine through in support of the Hawks,” said Frank Aguayo, a Southern Arizona rural sales senior manager for T-Mobile. “Now it’s time for the community to keep that momentum going! Every vote counts, and we encourage everyone to show their Hawk pride by voting daily as Gila Ridge competes for the title of West Division Champion.”
According to T-Mobile, here’s what’s next and how the community can help Gila Ridge win:
- Fans can vote once per day from Oct. 8–25 at FridayNight5GLights.com or through the T-Life app to help Gila Ridge High become a Division Champion.
- Supporters can help rally votes by sharing the school’s story on social media, tagging the school and @TMobile, and using #FN5GL and #Entry.
- One school from each division — West, Midwest, South and East — will advance to the final round.
- Division Champions will be announced Oct. 29 and will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym upgrade valued at $90,000 and “The Big Deal” Student Leadership Award valued at $5,000, which recognizes an individual student.
- Final voting runs Oct. 29–Nov. 8, with the grand prize winner announced Nov. 12.
- The grand prize winner will receive a $1 million home field upgrade and a tailgate celebration.
As of publication, GRHS ranks fifth in the West Division, but that could change with enough votes.
Folks who wish to vote for Gila Ridge specifically can do so here. To vote for schools in any division, visit here.
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This reporting is supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation.
