Local schools claim 5k in T-Mobile contest

T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest is back again this year and several local schools have already claimed their share of the first round of prize money.

The most recent selections for “Week 5” of the contest included Clarke County and Warren County High Schools and they will each receive $5,000.

Other local winners selected earlier this season include Page County, Central, and Skyline.

Each of the five schools will now have the opportunity to win the grand prize of $1 million in stadium upgrades.

Schools from areas of population under 150,000 people are eligible and votes are cast via social media.

Photos and videos of school pride posted that tag T-Mobile, the school, and use hashtags #FN5GL and #entry will be counted towards the contest.

Schools still have until September 18th to enter the opening round of the contest and you can submit your shots from the Game of the Week Friday Night to cast your votes for Strasburg or Warren County.

To learn more about the contest, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Strasburg claims $5,000 in T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest

Strasburg High School won a $5,000 prize from T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5g Lights contest last week leading up to their season opening win against Skyline.

The contest began in 2021 and Strasburg has won prize money two years in a row thanks to tremendous support on social media from the community and local creators like Aaron K Designs and Photography.

Last year’s win helped Strasburg fund the purchase of new stadium lights for Glenn Proctor Field.

Fans, students, and community members help their schools by tagging their school, @TMobile, and using hashtags #FN5GL and #Sweepstakes on every post.

Each post is the equivalent of one entry in the contest.

If Strasburg is chosen as a finalist, the school will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile hosted home game.

The grand prize winning school will win $1 million towards school and stadium upgrades.

Clarke County High School also claimed their share of prize money during last year’s contest.

The application period for the first round of entries concludes September 12th.

For more information or to nominate your school, click here.

WASPCA receives grant to help struggling pet owners

The Winchester Area SPCA announced on Tuesday that they received a $5,000 grant from Newell Brands Charitable for the agency’s Pets for Life – pet retention program.

The funding will support pet food and financial assistance for critical issues affecting pet owners like:

  • emergency veterinary care
  • vaccinations
  • spay/neuter surgeries
  • pet deposits when their owners are forced to move

Lavenda Denney, WASPCA Executive Director said, “Funding from the Newell Foundation will allow the WASPCA to significantly increase its impact on animal welfare by helping pet owners in need keep their beloved pets instead of being forced to surrender them into the overcrowded shelter system.”

Newell Brands Local Impact Grant Program began in 2019 to help the company impact the communities where their employees live by allowing them to nominate and vote for local nonprofits.

WASPCA’s Pets for Life pet retention program keeps over 1,000 animals out of overcrowded shelters and with the families that love them by providing short-term financial assistance.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Strasburg athletics win $5,000 in national T-Mobile contest

cares act distribution

Strasburg High School was selected as a $5,000 winner from T-Mobile’s 5G Friday Night Lights contest and needs the community’s help to advance in the competition.

Strasburg fans helped the Rams through the first round by posting pictures on Instagram from the football game vs Skyline on Thursday night and tagging Strasburg, T-Mobile, and using the hashtags #Sweepstakes and #FN5GL.

16 finalists will be announced on October 10th and voting will remain open throughout the time period through the social media tags.

Finalists receive a $25,000 grant and a T-Mobile celebration at a home football game while the grand prize includes a $100,000 grant, new scoreboard, weight room upgrades, a tailgate party with live music and a halftime drone show.

Central, Clarke County, and James Wood have also been nominated and are eligible to receive votes through Instagram.

Additional schools may apply to join the contest until September 20th.

For full details including how to help your school, click here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

FCPRD raises the stakes for the Apple Blossom 10k

walking in a winter wonderland

Frederick County Parks and Recreation announced some enhancements for this year’s Apple Blossom 10k.

This year’s winners will see an increase in prize money for both local and overall race winners thanks to the addition of a new sponsor, Monoflo International.

The new payment distribution for male and female overall winners will follow: $1,500 for  first place, $1,000 for 2nd place, $750 for 3rd place, and $500 for 4th place.

Local winners prizes for male and female competitors will follow: $1,000 for 1st place, $750 for 2nd place, and $500 for 3rd place to help emphasize the support of the local running community.

This year will also feature a “Beat the Course Record” challenge.

The current records stand at 28:47 for males and 33:25 for females.

If you can beat those records, you will take home $5,000.

The race will take place Saturday, May 4th at 8:30 am on Handley Boulevard.

A link to the full announcement is available here.

To register for the Apple Blossom 10k, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Virginia teachers could see pay increase

Virginia public school teachers could see a pay increase if Delegate Clark’s (D-Suffolk) bill makes it through the General Assembly.

The bill would require that state teachers and support staff be paid at or above the national average.

That is currently about $5000 more than what they bring home currently.

House Bill 187 and Senate Bill 104 states that teachers would receive a 3% increase for the 24/25 year and an additional 7% in 26/27 school year.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.