BALTIMORE (WJZ)— The Orioles issued a “Go Orange” challenge on Sept. 12 to all elementary, middle and high schools in Maryland to demonstrate their support for the team.

Schools were encouraged to decorate their schools with orange or demonstrate their Orioles pride in other ways.

Schools submitted a photo and summary detailing their efforts and were judged based on overall creativity, school spirit and “best use of orange.”

In the end, St. Philip Neri School in Linthicum took home the grand prize.

St. Philip Neri School sent a photo collage of their “Go Orange Week” and included details about the extensive process that included decorating every classroom door and hallway; cafeteria staff decorating the tables and serving an Orioles-themed lunch; and all of the staff and students wearing orange and black for an aerial shot of them forming a human “O” outside. Kate Daley, the school’s principal even named Buck Showalter their honorary principal.

Orioles pitchers Jason Hammel, Tommy Hunter and Troy Patton,  MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter and the Oriole Bird will visit the school on Thursday–the day before the Orioles play the Red Sox in their final home regular season series during Fan Appreciation Weekend.

Perry Hall Elementary in Baltimore was awarded second place and Halstead Academy of Science and the Arts in Baltimore received third place.

Perry Hall will also receive a visit from the Oriole Bird at a later date, and all three top schools will receive tickets for their entire student body to attend a mutually agreeable Orioles home game in April 2013.