Del City School Wins $100,000

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

DEL CITY, Oklahoma -- A Del City school got the surprise of a lifetime Thursday afternoon when Destiny Christian School found out they were the recipients of a check for $100,000.

The money comes from U.S. Celluar's 'Calling All Communities' program. The nationwide contest encouraged communities to cast votes for their favorite schools during the holiday season.

Destiny Christian School beat out more than 6,500 others nominated across the country to become one of 10 to share in U.S. Cellular's $1 million donation to benefit children's education.

U.S. Cellular said what was so remarkable about the school winning is that for most of the competition, the school wasn't even in the top 20. It wasn't until the last couple of weeks that they were able to pull together and win.

"Our entire community can rejoice in this remarkable victory for our school and our students," said Jim Howard, principal of Destiny Christian School in a press release. "The support, hard work and faith that made this gift possible teach us all a valuable lesson about the strength of community spirit."

The school's gym and many of its classrooms were destroyed in 2007 in an ice storm. Principal Howard said the funds will help the school finish their rebuilding process, including buying additional bleachers and completing locker rooms for the gym.