Four schools lead U.S. Cellular campaign
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 19, 2012 1:46 PM
Wayne County has the top school in the nation and three others in the Top 100 of the Calling All Communities campaign, officials announced Tuesday.
Just three days into voting in the U.S. Cellular contest, more than 250 schools have gotten involved in the race to win a share of $1 million in the company's fourth annual campaign to support education.
The carrier released the first list of 100 schools leading the pack.
Spring Creek Elementary School is in first place. Others from Wayne County Public Schools in the Top 100 are Norwayne Middle School in 13th place, School Street Elementary School in 32nd place and Northwest Elementary School in 42nd position.
This year's contest officially kicked off Sept. 14 and runs through Oct. 21.
Open to all K-12 schools, public or private, no purchase is necessary and voters do not have to be a U.S. Cellular customer to participate.
The top 18 schools garnering the most votes will win a share of $1 million to spend however they choose. The school with the most votes will receive $150,000 and the next 17 will each receive $50,000.
"With five weeks left to rally votes, every school still has a chance to join the frontrunners and win," said Luis Miranda, store manager for U.S. Cellular in Goldsboro. "We're excited to see the schools on this Top 100 listing, but we know that it is still a wide open race with plenty of time for other schools to join the ranks.
"Each year we are amazed at how many community members rally together to lead their schools to victory."
Wayne County has been a strong contender in the contest since it was introduced in 2008. In 2009, Brogden Primary School received $100,000, followed by Wayne Country Day School the next year being awarded $100,000. Last year, four local schools claimed $50,000 each -- Fremont STARS, North Drive and Tommy's Road elementary schools and Wayne Christian School.
Anyone 18 and older can visit any U.S. Cellular store and receive a code to vote for a school. With only one vote per person, officials said it is important to get entire communities involved.
The winning schools will be announced in November. Official rules and a complete list of contenders can be found at uscellular.com/callingallcommunities.