Warren County High School had climbed into 15th place as of Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the State Farm Celebrate My Drive promotion where $100,000 is on the line.
WCHS won a $25,000 prize last year.
A fierce day of voting Tuesday propelled WCHS up to the 15th spot. It was the first day for students to return to school from fall break since the online promotion began. More than 1,600 high schools in the United States and Canada are competing in the large-school category for five prizes of $100,000. The remaining top 45 schools in the large-school division will receive $25,000.
The money comes with virtually no strings attached. Per State Farm guidelines, 10 percent of it has to go toward safe driving initiatives. The rest of the money can be spent as the school administration sees fit. Last year, WCHS used the money to buy archery equipment and 27 computers.
Voting ends this Friday, Oct. 24, at midnight. Anyone is eligible to vote by going to the website www.celebratemydrive.com. One vote is allowed per email address per day.
Other Tennessee schools of interest include Wilson Central, which is currently in sixth place, and Lebanon High School, which has surged to seventh place.   Blackman High School is steady at 25, while Gallatin High School (35) has jumped ahead of Riverdale (37).
State Farm agent and School Board member Bill Zechman notes the $100,000 would sure come in handy at a time when education funding can be hard to obtain.