Ewing Middle School won the $10,000 grand prize in an American Idol-style video online contest.

Ewing Middle competed in the video contest against 102 schools nationally, including large metropolitan areas in Los Angeles, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Miami.

Ewing Middle and Mary Wright Elementary in Spartanburg were the only two South Carolina schools involved in the contest, sponsored by Big Lots through the store's Lots2Give program.

"We created a 90-second video explaining why our school was in need of financial support. We then asked people to vote for our video," Ewing Middle Principal Dr. Denise Wooten said. "I recently received a phone call from a Big Lots representative saying that we were the winner of the grand prize. We are so excited to be the $10,000 winner. We thank our community and friends for supporting Ewing Middle School with your online votes."

The video details efforts by Ewing Middle School teachers and staff to motivate students. The video's storyline combined elements of the Dr. Phil talk show and Star Trek television show in a school effort to develop an academic incentive program.

Voting in the national Big Lots video contest was held June 11 through July 12. Everyone could vote for the school videos on the contest's Web site up to three times each day.

Similar to the American Idol format, the number of online votes determined the contest winners. Ewing Middle was among 26 schools nationally to share in cash prizes.

Representatives from Big Lots will visit the Gaffney store on Aug. 5 to present the check to Ewing Middle School. Students, parents and teachers are invited to attend the ceremony.

"We plan to use the money for incentives to motivate our students in the areas of academic achievement and attendance. We are also in need of additional computers at Ewing," Wooten said.

"We are very appreciative to Big Lots for giving back to the community to help enhance the quality of education."