Ridgeview HS football wins $25,000 grant from T-Mobile’s ‘Friday Night 5G Lights,’ finalist for $2 million grand prize

You can vote for which of 16 finalists receive $2 million to upgrade football field

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- T-Mobile announced that Ridgeview High School is one of 16 schools across the country to receive a $25,000 grant as part of the company’s “T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights” competition which launched in early August.

“We feel honored to be a finalist for the T Mobile FN5GL! This is a huge opportunity for our community to improve our facilities for both our current and future high school student athletes,” said Randi Viggiano, Ridgeview's athletic director.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be one of the 16 finalists for the T Mobile FN5GL. The finalists award will have a tremendous impact on our student athletes and families.”  Thank you, T-Mobile, for this opportunity,” said Ridgeview Principal Brian Cook.

“We could not be more ecstatic to be a finalist for the T-Mobile FN5GL sweepstakes. We are so grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow our program,” said Patrick Pileggi, Ridgeview's head football coach.

The school and T-Mobile will hold a special celebration at the home football game on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., giveaways and free food at the concession stands. 

The 16 high schools across the country that won $25,000 for their football programs are:

• Beaumont United High School (Beaumont, Texas)
• Crest Ridge High School (Centerview, MO)
• Dumas High School (Dumas, TX)
• Greenwood High School (Greenwood, AR)
• Hughson High School     (Hughson, CA)
• Inola High School (Inola, OK)
• Loveland High School     (Loveland, CO)
• Manchester West High School (Manchester, NH)
• Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (Faribault, MN)
• Paradise High School     (Paradise, CA)
• Ridgeview High School (Redmond, OR)
• Saks High School (Anniston, AL)
• Salisbury High School (Salisbury, NC)
• Superior Junior/Senior High School (Superior, AZ)
• Ware Jr./Sr High School (Ware, MA)
• Warren Central High School (Bowling Green, KY)

A T-Mobile panel of judges picked 16 finalists based on the applicants’ compelling stories as to why their high school needs the grand prize tech upgrade, potential impact on the school’s football field on how the school has shown school spirit during the application window by encouraging social engagement, and alignment with T-Mobile's small-town strategy of creating essential, digital connections and championing equitable opportunities for all.

All 16 finalists now move onto the final face-off, where people across the country will help decide which deserving high school will win the $2 million grand prize to upgrade its high school football field. The grand prize includes a $100,000 grant for the school, weight room from GronkFitness.com, new teched-out scoreboard, consultation with football field experience experts, 5G network upgrades package and an epic tailgate party celebration with live music and a 5G-powered halftime drone show. The grand prize winner will be announced in December.

More than 1,700 high schools nationwide entered the contest, including 35 schools in Oregon.

An additional 300 schools each walked away from Friday Night 5G Lights with $5,000 through T-Mobile’s $5K Fridays. Redmond High School was one of the schools selected.  The giveaway — which totals $1.5 million — ran through the competition’s six-week entry period to give high schools nationwide some extra cash for the project of their choice.

To get more information on T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights ,visit www.FridayNight5GLights.com

For questions or more information please contact Logan McGinnis at logan.mcginnis@redmondschools.org