Livingston, Tenn. – When more than 30 cheering U.S. Cellular associates burst into their gym today, A.H. Roberts future scientists discovered something amazing was about to happen. The school’s 600-plus students and faculty had gathered for a special preview of the science fair when they learned it had become the ninth school to receive $100,000 in the company’s 2010 Calling All Communities campaign.
"This is a once in a lifetime thing," said A.H. Roberts Principal Bridgett Carwile, who got the $100,000 call one day before the surprise announcement. "We knew we had done well, but we had no idea we had won. This is such a small community but when we saw all of the support we were getting, we knew we could do it."
Word of the win spread quickly through the town. Community members and parents joined the celebration as U.S. Cellular associates tossed t-shirts and 100 Grand candy bars to the excited students. There were glitter, tears and squeals of joy everywhere.
Each year, 10 schools that garner the most community votes during the campaign split $1 million from U.S. Cellular to use any way they choose. A.H. Roberts broke into the Top 20 early in the campaign before slipping out in December. The Overton County elementary school worked with businesses to hold drawings and even raffle off a Wii video game system to encourage support. Their efforts helped the school rebound in the final weeks to win.
Carwile said the school hasn’t decided how to spend the jackpot, but it definitely needs a technology upgrade. "Our computers are refurbished and dying. They need to be replaced."
A.H. Roberts became the second Tennessee school to take home the prize this year and the fourth Tennessee champion in the campaign’s history, resulting in $400,000 invested in schools within the state. Seymour High School’s win was announced on Feb. 9. Heritage High School in Maryville and Bearden High School in Knoxville came out on top in 2009.
"I’m not surprised that the tremendous heart of Tennessee communities has lead to another win," said Jack Brundige, director of sales for U.S. Cellular. "Our associates experience the power of these communities every day and we were thrilled to be able to give back to our local schools."
Calling All Communities voter participation this year nearly quadrupled with 430,000 votes cast for 6,800-plus schools nationwide. The final winning school will be announced this week, completing the Top 10 winner’s circle that also includes schools in Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Visit uscellular.com/callingallcommunities or U.S. Cellular’s Facebook page to view the results.
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