KIMBALL -- Kimball Jr./Sr. High School has been selected out of 450 schools nationwide to receive $5,000 through the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights Program – a major initiative investing in small-town high school football communities across America. 

Activities Director Jaclyn Burks said: “I'm really excited for our school and our community, and I’m excited to be able to spend some money for much needed upgrades to our football field that will translate into every event that we hold out there. Right now, we’re looking at a better sound system for our football field.” 

A team of T-Mobile representatives will be in Kimball Oct. 2 for a pep rally, then they will present the check to the school at the home game Oct. 3. 

“We will do [the pep rally] during the day so the entire student body will be there, and we will get the elementary kids here, and I would really love it if the community could come and support us,” Burks said. “I’m really excited for them to come see Kimball and see how great our town is.” 

Kimball High School is one of two Nebraska schools to be the first at winning across the state, the other one being Arthur County High School.  

So far, 14 Nebraska schools have entered into the random drawing with winners being announced every Friday until Sept. 12. 

Kimball High School is also eligible for the $25,000 prize if chosen as a top 25 finalist. Those finalists then move onto the public voting portion for a chance to win a grand prize of $1 million for a complete field tech upgrade, a renovated weight room, an all-expense-paid trip to the SEC Championship, and more. 

T-Mobile Communications Manager Lyssa Hansen said the finalists are chosen based on the need for the prize money and how it would impact the students and the community, as well as showcasing community pride and involvement by spreading the word on social media.  

Once the finalists are announced Sept. 25, voting opens to the public and goes through Oct. 24. Everyone in the community can vote through T-Mobile's website one time per day for their school, and the grand prize winner will be announced Oct. 30. 

The grand prize winner is determined by the most votes, so the more local participation the more it can help elevate their chances of winning. 

“This program isn’t just about turf and stadium seats — it’s about investing in youth development, community pride, and the future of Friday nights in small-town America,” Hansen said.