Oregon — Lebanon High School is Oregon’s only finalist in T-Mobile’s nationwide Friday Night 5G Lights competition, a contest that awards a $1 million stadium upgrade to one high school. Yet, while other states’ leaders are rallying behind their finalists, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has remained silent.
The contrast is especially clear in Arkansas, where Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders publicly congratulated Dierks High School, that state’s finalist, and encouraged residents to vote. Sanders’ endorsement was shared widely across social media, helping boost Dierks’ national visibility.
Lebanon supporters, meanwhile, have expressed the need for updates to the stadium. On social media, local advocates noted, “Man that stadium needs to get fixed. I went to a football game there and the seats to rotted out. It’s really sad it needs help.” Others made comments showing their substantial disapproval of the response from the Governor’s Office and lack of support to raise awareness.
The T-Mobile program highlights small-town schools across the country, giving $25,000 to each finalist and the grand prize to one. For Lebanon, winning would mean long-overdue facility improvements and a rare spotlight for rural Oregon students.
PDX Real reported on the Governor not promoting the contest, stating that “In response, the students at Lebanon High contacted Oregon governor Tina Kotek, hoping she would return Huckabee-Sanders’ challenge. The first request by the school was ignored by the governor’s office. A second request received a response, but not one the high school expected. It came from Courtney Flathers (she/her), a “Solutions Coordinator” in the Office of Governor Tina Kotek.”
Hi all,
We are not able to utilize the Governor’s channels to fundraise and will not be able to accommodate this request.
Good luck with the competition!
Observers say the governor’s silence could signal a missed opportunity to connect with rural voters who often feel overlooked by state leadership. Political analysts note that symbolic gestures, like championing a small-town school in a national contest, can go a long way toward rebuilding trust beyond the Portland metro area.
Neither the Governor’s Office nor the Oregon Department of Education has publicly commented on the competition. Voting remains open through October 24 on T-Mobile’s website.
About the Author
Kotek is a trash governor. Even Portland residents that read this should see is not the right person to be governor. There is no way she should even be aloud to run for governor again. Shame on her and shame on anyone who votes for her.