Schools battle for share of grant money
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 14, 2011 1:46 PM
Voting has begun for this year's $1 million Calling All Communities campaign, with several area schools already among the top 100 vying for a share of $1 million in the annual campaign to support education.
Eighteen schools across the country will be awarded monetary prizes. The one with the most votes will win $150,000 and the 17 runners-up will receive $50,000 each to be used any way the schools choose.
Over the next four weeks, U.S. Cellular will update communities on how local schools are progressing. Voting ends Oct. 6.
As of Monday, the top 100 emerged from a total of 507 schools throughout the country that have received the most community votes, with nearly 16,000 votes cast.
Hobbton Middle School in Newton Grove took an early lead, in the top ranking position.
Tommy's Road Elementary was in fifth place, LaGrange Elementary in 10th and Wayne Christian in 12th place. Others from Wayne County included North Drive Elementary, 16th; Fremont STARS Elementary, 25th; and Spring Creek Elementary, 68th.
During the past four years, more than $400,000 has been given to schools in eastern North Carolina, including $200,000 in Wayne County - $100,000 to Brogden Primary School in 2009 and $100,000 to Wayne Country Day School in 2010.
Anyone 18 years old or older can visit any U.S. Cellular store and receive a code to vote for a favorite school at uscellular.com. Voting cards feature a peel-off sticker that give the holder a chance to cast two votes per day.
Public and private schools, kindergarten through high school, are eligible to win. No purchase is necessary and voters do not have to be a U.S. Cellular customer.
The winning schools will be announced in October and November.
For more information on the campaign, visit uscellular.com or their Facebook page.