North Carolina Underdog Celebrates Victory in U.S. Cellular's Calling All Communities Campaign

GOLDSBORO, N.C., Feb. 19,/PRNewswire/ -- Most people would scream for joy if they received a call saying they had won $100,000. That's exactly what Wayne Country Day School's principal did after U.S. Cellular representatives shared that the school was the sixth $100,000 winner in its 2010 Calling All Communities campaign.

"I just screamed before I even realized it," said Wayne Country's principal Todd Anderson whose excitement was overheard by an office filled with staff and parents. "We worked really hard as a community for this win. Something this big just doesn't happen everyday."

Turns out no element of surprise was needed. Today's emotional victory celebration united hundreds of students, faculty, parents and community members with more than 40 U.S. Cellular associates who were armed with t-shirts, 100 Grand candy bars and lots of confetti.

"The overwhelming amount of community support that Wayne Country received during the campaign makes winning this money even more special," said Mayor Al King. "This is a day that Goldsboro won't soon forget."

After getting their feet wet in last year's Calling All Communities campaign, Wayne Country resurfaced this year with a spirit of determination. The Chargers ramped up their efforts by soliciting votes throughout the holiday break and kept the momentum going with strong alumni support. They also received special words of encouragement from Wendy Hooks, principal of 2009 Calling All Communities Champion Brogden Primary School in Dudley, N.C. In the end, Wayne Country upset several frontrunners and exchanged their underdog status for a spot in the Top 10.

"We are so proud to have another winner in North Carolina," said Marcel Bekers, director of sales for U.S. Cellular. "Everyone came together for the kids, and their hard work has really paid off."

The winnings can be used however the school decides. According to Anderson, the funds will help pay for the Prometheon boards that were recently installed in classrooms.

Calling All Communities voter participation this year nearly quadrupled with 430,000 votes cast for 6,800-plus schools nationwide. U.S. Cellular associates will continue to make random, spontaneous visits to the four remaining schools throughout February. Visit uscellular.com/callingallcommunities or U.S. Cellular's Facebook page to view winning school results.

About U.S. Cellular

The 9,000 associates of U.S. Cellular believe a wireless phone enhances people's lives and a wireless company should be in the business of bringing people together. U.S. Cellular has a wide range of monthly plans, including those with unlimited nationwide calling, unlimited free incoming calls and options to prepay. The company made the commitment to invest more than $4.5 million in teachers and schools during 2009 and 2010. Based in Chicago, U.S. Cellular is the nation's fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier, serving 6.2 million customers across the country. To learn more about the company visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com.

SOURCE U.S. Cellular

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