DIERKS, Ark. — The students of Dierks High School are still in disbelief after learning their small-town school won $1 million through the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest.

For more than two decades, the school’s football field has gone without upgrades. Now, that’s about to change — thanks to the efforts of students, parents, and the community who helped rack up 2 million votes out of 8 million cast nationwide.

“Surreal,” Mason Smith, a senior, said. “You start out this competition and don’t think it would go anywhere — we’re just a small town.”

“They made a map of who all the states voted for, and all 50 states put at least one vote in for us,” added senior Ben Ernset.

The contest win brings more than just bragging rights. Along with the $1 million prize, Dierks will receive a

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