HILTON, N.Y. — Merton Williams Middle School is a national finalist in the Danimals ShopRite School Contest.

The school’s community fitness essay got them to the final round of voting that’s taking place now through the end of January.

Students and staff are using social media and have signs up all over school to encourage people to vote daily.

The four schools with the most votes — out of nearly 80 finalists — will each receive a $25,000 grant for the Project Fit America (PFA) program that includes fitness equipment, installation, some indoor P.E. equipment and curriculum.

"We take a lot of pride in our physical education program here at Merton Williams and we work hard every day to instill the importance of fitness in our students," said P.E. teacher Debi Lipani.

"We really enjoy doing sports and I feel like the equipment would really help us because it is new and we would try new things," said eighth grader Keishalys Lopez.

Anyone can vote online once per day at the Daminals website and voting ends January 31st.

Another local school is also a finalist in this contest — Florence Brassar Elementary School in Gates. With the top four schools all receiving grants, we encourage you to vote local!