The News 12 School Spirit Showdown is heating up! 

At a pep rally last week,  Mamaroneck Avenue School in White Plains proudly showed off their Tiger Pride as the first winning school in our News 12 School Spirit Showdown.

An orange sea of spirited students, teachers and staff greeted News 12 Education Reporter Rebecca Solomon as she went out to find what makes the school so special.

The school racked up over 26,000 votes on News 12.com. Alice Brodsky say her classmates were dedicated to the challenge. “Every time I'd come home, I'd drop everything, go to the computer and vote six times! And my parents go on their phones and vote as many times as possible,” says Brodsky.

Winning the News 12 School Spirit Showdown was no surprise to many school administrators and teachers. “The community is fantastic, so supportive, the kids are always eager to learn so much spirit. But it really starts with our administration. They make sure every kid feels like they're cared for and loved,” says physical education teacher Howie Rubenstein.

The contest is still going on, and people can vote up to five times a day.  News 12 will visit three more winning schools in October.