Covington High School has muscled its way into the final round of a national contest that could hand the Lions a $1 million facility upgrade, after the school already banked $345,000 in cash and prizes by winning the South Division of T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. Students, cheerleaders and the school band gathered Thursday for a prep rally celebrating the milestone, with public voting now open for the grand prize through Nov. 8.
Covington earned its spot after winning two earlier rounds of the competition, according to WDSU, which reported the school secured a $250,000 prize destined for an upgrade to its fitness center. The school also pulled in nearly 198,000 contest votes, a $5,000 Big Deal Student Spotlight Award and a Gronk Fitness gym package, as detailed by NOLA.com. The student award recognizes someone who consistently supports others and positively impacts school and community, per the same report.
Covington Principal John Boudreaux credited the run with pulling together more than just his own campus. He said the competition brought Covington and its wider community together, including crosstown rival St. Paul’s, which helped Covington High in the contest, according to NOLA.com’s reporting.
What the Prize Money Could Fund
If the cash keeps flowing, Covington administrators have a wish list ready. Plans include upgrading female athletic locker rooms, adding dedicated locker rooms for boys’ and girls’ soccer and track teams, replacing the stadium sound system, and revitalizing a practice field shared by soccer teams, the marching band and auxiliary teams, per the NOLA.com account…