D.C. Everest Senior High School in Schofield was named one of T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights first 2026 $5K Fridays winners

D.C. Everest Senior High School in Schofield was named one of T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights first 2026 $5K Fridays winners, giving the school an early win in the company’s national competition built around high school football and community pride. These funds are theirs to allocate towards their programs most in-need, whether it's supporting their academics, athletes, or the broader school community – and this is just the start.

Now in its third season, Friday Night 5G Lights will award more than $8.4 million in prizes to high schools in towns with under 150,000 people. This means that D.C. Everest stands to win $25,000 if selected as one of the program’s 40 Division Finalists; $250,000 if voted one of four Division Champions; and the ultimate grand prize - a full football field transformation valued at $1 million. 

It is one of 12 schools in Wisconsin to win $5K so far this year, and we want more! We encourage more high schools in the area to apply for the chance to win. Last year, New Auburn High School north of Eau Claire was a finalist and won $25K through the program.

Here is some key program information, and I've also included media assets if helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you want to speak to anyone about this program. Thanks.

QUICK FACTS

• 1,000 schools will receive $5,000, with winners being announced weekly throughout the submission period as part of $5K Fridays.
• 40 Division Finalists will each receive $25,000 plus a T-Mobile Home Game Celebration.
• Four Division Champions will each receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym (valued at $90K) and a $5,000 student leadership award.
• The grand prize winner will receive a $1 million grand prize football stadium upgrade.

HOW SCHOOLS CAN APPLY

• School officials can apply now at FridayNight5GLights.com through Sept. 18.
• Entries should include a short story or essay explaining why the school deserves a transformation.
• Every applicant is automatically entered into weekly $5K Fridays giveaways.
• Public voting runs Oct. 8 – 25, with the public able to cast one vote per person per day.
• The grand prize winner will be announced Nov. 12.