TAOS, MO. -- Five Mid-Missouri schools are early frontrunners for big cash prize, but they need your help.
It's part of U.S. Cellular's annual campaign, "Calling All Communities."
Local top contenders are Immaculate Conception, Blair Oaks Elementary, Concord Christian, all three in Jefferson City along with Gratz Brown Elementary in Moberly and Westran Elementary in Huntsville.
From now until October 6th, anyone 18 or older, can visit a U.S. Cellular store to get a code and vote online for their favorite school.
The school with the most votes will win $150,000, and the next 17 schools will receive $50,000 each.
Last year st. Francis Xavier in Taos won $100,000 and bought a new gym floor and an air system with their winnings.
U.S. Cellular said they've seen some promising strategies over the years.
“There's lots of strategies out there, one of the ways I've heard that went really well last year, is using Facebook and your social network along with just spreading the word,” U.S. Cellular store manager Jacob Neeley said. “Share your excitement and your passion. Another great thing is to utilize local businesses. See if you can put flyers out, see what you can do to have conversations with business partners around the community as well."
You don't have to be in school to be a winner, 2,000 randomly-selected voters will be awarded $25 U.S. Cellular debit cards simply for showing their school spirit.
The winning schools will be announced in October and November.