Gila Ridge High School earns grant, selected as finalist for $1 million grand prize
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Gila Ridge High School is one step closer to a major home-field upgrade after being named one of the top 40 division finalists in T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights competition.
The Yuma school was selected from nearly 2,500 applicants nationwide for a chance to win a $1 million home-field upgrade.
As a finalist, the Gila Ridge Hawks will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile-hosted Home Game Celebration on Friday, Oct. 23.
The Hawks will now compete against nine other schools in the West Division, with community votes helping determine which school advances to the final round.
Gila Ridge is a returning applicant in the competition and won the program’s $5,000 Friday award in both 2025 and 2026.
The school hopes to use the opportunity to upgrade Veterans Memorial Stadium, which has seen few major improvements since 2007.
"The Gila Ridge Hawk family is beyond grateful," said Johannah Elliott, assistant principal of athletics at Gila Ridge High School. "We are so appreciative to T-Mobile and the Friday Night 5G Lights program. Our students, families, clubs, teams, booster clubs, and staff showed up in the stands and online for us. FN5GL has had such a positive impact on our hawk pride and school spirit, and will now positively impact our athletic facilities."
Community members can vote for Gila Ridge once per day from Oct. 8 through Oct. 25 here or through the T-Life app.
Supporters can also encourage participation by sharing the school’s story on social media, tagging Gila Ridge and @TMobile, and using the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry.
One school from each of the competition's four divisions, West, Midwest, South and East, will advance to the final round.
Division champions will be announced Oct. 29 and receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym upgrade valued at $90,000 and a $5,000 student leadership award.
Final voting will run from Oct. 29 through Nov. 8, with the grand prize winner announced Nov. 12. The winning school will receive a $1 million home-field upgrade and a tailgate celebration.
