Gila Herald Staff Reports
THATCHER — Local pride is paying off for Thatcher High School. The home of the Eagles has officially been selected as a recipient of a $5,000 cash prize through T-Mobile’s “5K Fridays” sweepstakes, putting the school in prime position as it remains in the running for even larger national honors and game-changing awards.
The weekly grant is part of T-Mobile’s return of Friday Night 5G Lights, an initiative committing over $8.4 million in total funding and prizes to small-town high schools nationwide.
By securing the $5,000 award, Thatcher High School not only brings home immediate funding for its athletic and school programs, but also keeps the momentum going as the competition heats up for major awards, including:
- $25,000 Division Finalist Grants: 40 finalist schools across four regions (West, East, Midwest, and South) will secure $25,000 alongside a T-Mobile-hosted Home Game Celebration.
- $250,000 Division Championships: Four regional winners will receive a $250,000 prize package, a state-of-the-art Gronk Fitness weight room upgrade valued at $90,000, and a $5,000 student leadership award.
- The $1 Million Grand Prize: One standout high school in the nation will earn the ultimate grand prize—a complete $1 million stadium and football field transformation.
To help Thatcher High School advance in the national bracket and secure additional funding, community members, parents, students, and local supporters can boost the school’s visibility through social media participation.
Eligible posts on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram using the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry, while tagging @TMobile and @ThatcherHighSchool (or mentioning the school), count as additional entries and help build engagement for judging considerations.
Public voting for regional finalists opens October 8 via FridayNight5GLights.com and the T-Life app, where the Gila Valley community can rally daily votes to propel the Eagles toward the top prize.
