East Newton High School receives $5,000 from T-Mobile, in running for $1 Million

East Newton High School in Granby just received $5,000 in funding — and they’re also in the running for a football field transformation valued at $1 million.

The school was randomly selected as a $5K Fridays sweepstakes winner through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights, a national competition celebrating small-town football and community pride.

In total, 11 high schools have received $5,000, bringing the total to $55,000 across the state.

This year, more than $8.4 million is up for grabs, including $25,000 for 40 finalists, $250,000 for four division champions and $1 million toward a football field transformation for one grand prize winner, announced Nov. 12.

East Newton High School Athletic Director Brian Anton applied in hopes that funding could help upgrade the football field that serves as a gathering place for families across its rural district. Improvements to the playing field, accessibility and scoreboard would create a safer, more welcoming home for athletes, students and fans — and strengthen the place where two school communities come together as one Patriot family.

So far, over 50 Missouri high schools have applied, and there’s still time for more to join. Eligible schools in communities with populations under 150,000 can apply through Sept. 18 at FridayNight5GLights.com. As the competition progresses, communities will also have opportunities to rally behind their schools and vote.

 Other recipients include schools in Jasper, Miller and Ash Grove.