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Dierks Students Celebrate $1 Million Win to Upgrade School’s Football Field

T-Mobile US, Inc. announced on October 30, 2025 that Dierks High School in Dierks, Arkansas won the Friday Night 5G Lights contest with a $1 million stadium upgrade.
Community volunteers mobilized as Dierks High School students and residents led Magenta Week and the Mannequin Challenge, with supporters voting five times each.
Among finalists, 25 schools competed while Lebanon High School, Oregon earned $100,000 as runner-up and Dexter Regional High School, Maine received $50,000, with Rob Gronkowski and Patrick Mahomes supporting the campaign.
The school plans to install lights on its football field, and Paul Ernest, Head Football Coach, Dierks High School, said the win makes the community feel seen with long-term youth significance.
Nationwide, the contest drew more than 8 million votes, with Dierks High School leading at nearly 2 million and Lebanon High School close behind with nearly 1.5 million; Friday Night 5G Lights continues expanding access through T-Mobile programs.

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Dierks students celebrate $1 million win to upgrade school’s football field

The students of Dierks High School are still in disbelief after learning their small-town school won $1 million through the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest.

5 days ago

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KTBS

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Dierks High School wins $1M stadium makeover in national competition

DIERKS, AR. - In a town of just 900 people, the heartbeat of Friday nights has always been football. Now, that same small-town passion has earned Dierks High School a $1 million upgrade to its aging stadium — thanks to…

6 days ago

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WCSH

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Dexter Regional High School wins $75,000 in national football giveaway

Dexter Regional High School celebrates a win in T-Mobile's grant competition to light up its football field.

6 days ago·Portland, United States

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WMBD

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Princeville High ranks 12th in T-Mobile 5G Lights Challenge

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- Princeville finished 12th in the top 25 finalists round of the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights challenge. While the northern Peoria County high school, with an estimated student base of 330, didn't win the competition, it finished with more than 193,000 votes and got a shoutout for its "Magenta Machine" tractor in the announcement. Dierks High School in Dierks, Ark., a community of 900 people, won with more than 1.98 milli…

6 days ago·Peoria, United States

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