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Seymour High School in Sevier County has won $100,000 in the U.S. Cellular Calling All Communities campaign.

Seymour High School's faculty, students and community members thought they were going to hear a motivational speaker Tuesday until a parade of about 50 U.S. Cellular associates burst into the gymnasium, tossing T-shirts and launching confetti everywhere. The unexpected but welcomed interruption brought screams of excitement from the more than 1,100 Seymour students filling the gym.

“This is just unbelievable,” said Seymour High School Principal Greg Clark, who was notified of the school's victory just days before the surprise announcement. “When I got the call, I was so happy that I had to sit down so I wouldn't fall over. Lots of people really worked hard for this throughout the campaign. This is a good thing for the whole community.”

The high school plans to share their winnings with Seymour Primary, Intermediate and Middle schools that played a major role in pushing them to the top. During the campaign, all four schools rallied voter support for the high school by hosting pep rallies, marching in the Christmas parade, creating their own Calling All Communities holiday carol and ornament, and posting signage in local businesses. “Vote for Seymour” flyers were even placed in residents' monthly utility bills.

This is the second year that U.S. Cellular is awarding $1 million to 10 schools to use however they choose. The Knoxville area is home to two 2009 Calling All Communities champions. Bearden High School and Heritage High School took home $100,000 each last year.