Dexter Regional High School wins $25K in Friday Night 5G Lights Contest

DEXTER — Dexter Regional High School has been named one of 25 finalist schools nationwide to receive a $25,000 prize through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program, a nationwide competition celebrating the power of high school football to bring communities together. This $25,000 grant can help the school make any needed upgrades to their equipment or facilities, and Dexter is the only finalist from Maine (23 states are represented).

Adam Gudroe, assistant principal and athletic director, shared his excitement about the funding, “It is hard to put into words how grateful we are to be one of 25 finalists for the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights Sweepstakes. To be in the running for the $1,000,000 grand prize is just crazy to think about. The $25,000 that we have already won will go a long way toward improving our athletic facility for our students. The chance of winning the grand prize would go even further toward providing an amazing resource for our small community. We are so thankful to T-Mobile for giving us this opportunity.”    

Dexter joins a group of high schools nationwide recognized for school spirit, creativity and community support. The school will be recognized at a special celebration featuring games, giveaways and free concessions for attendees — all hosted by T-Mobile. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18.

Dexter is now one step closer to the grand prize, which along with a $1 million field upgrade, will receive a renovated weight room from Gronk Fitness, a consultation with stadium experience experts, an all-expenses-paid trip to the SEC Championship game for 16 school representatives and a tailgate party revealing the finalized upgrades in 2026.

A total of 2,100 schools entered the contest, making this a true standout win. Community voting determines which school wins the grand prize — voting is open through Oct. 24 — and supporters can vote once per day during that time period. The more daily votes, the higher the chance of winning the grand prize, which will be announced on Oct.  30. The voting page specific to Dexter Regional High School is Vote for Dexter (https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights/a).

T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition rallied more than 2,100 high schools from small towns across the country — nearly 20% of all U.S. small-town high schools — to compete for a game-changing field upgrade. Now, the spotlight is on the 25 most inspiring contenders who will each receive a $25,000 grant and a T-Mobile-sponsored home game complete with giveaways, fan gear and a halftime check presentation.

“We heard inspiring stories from schools all across the country since kicking off the competition over two months ago, and the passion is just incredible. It’s clear these schools are on a major mission not only to chase the big win but to also build pride in their communities,” said Jon Freier, president, T-Mobile Consumer Group. “That’s exactly what Friday Night 5G Lights is all about — recognizing that spirit and giving these small towns a chance to dream bigger with help from America’s Best Network.”

That sense of community is something three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes knows well. “I know firsthand how much high school football means to families and entire communities,” Mahomes said. “I grew up in a small Texas town, so seeing how hard these high schools have hustled really resonates with me. These finalists represent everything that makes the game special, and I’m proud to be part of spotlighting their stories.”

Four-time Super Bowl champ Rob Gronkowski, who also grew up in a small town in upstate New York, added, “Friday nights in small-town America are pure magic with the energy, the pride and the tradition that make it so electric. I already know these Top 25 are going to take the competition to another level, and I can’t wait to see how they rally their communities and people across the country on their mission for the million-dollar grand prize.”

The finalists were selected for their creativity and stories about how the win would positively impact their school

For Dexter, the Tigers’ field, long shaped by harsh weather and poor drainage, has become uneven and a safety concern for athletes. New turf, lights and updated facilities would reduce injuries, support player development and give the community a safe, central place to gather and cheer.

Finalists can rack up extra points by completing weekly “Spirit Week Assignments” on social media, with tasks like creating custom banners and sporting T-Mobile’s signature magenta. Each week’s challenge could add thousands of votes to a school’s total.

Weekly rankings will be posted on the website, so communities can watch their progress and rally support.

For the first time this year, one finalist will also win the T-Mobile Fan Favorite Award, chosen by T-Mobile employees, and receive an additional $25,000 for their school.

As America’s Best Mobile Network, T-Mobile is committed to making sure people have the best possible wireless experience wherever they live — and Friday Night 5G Lights is just one piece of T-Mobile’s larger mission to connect every corner of the country.

Through programs like Project 10Million and Hometown Grants, the Un-carrier is keeping people connected and helping communities thrive.  

T-Mobile Home Internet, T-Mobile Business Internet and T-Mobile Fiber also bring broadband to small towns, delivering fast and reliable options to rural communities, while T-Satellite with Starlink connects people even the hardest-to-reach places — keeping them connected nearly everywhere they can see the sky. 

With initiatives like Friday Night 5G Lights, T-Mobile continues to amplify small-town voices, celebrate community pride and showcase what’s possible with America’s Best Network.

Vote and learn more at FridayNight5GLights.com.