Hardy Telecommunications has selected two local high school juniors for an all-expenses-paid trip to our nation’s capital this summer.
East Hardy Junior Paula Smith and Moorefield High Junior Jacy Barr will travel to Washington, D.C., as part of the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour June 1-5, said Hardy Marketing and Human Resource Director Derek Barr.
The FRS Youth Tour is a four-day trip during which students from rural areas all over the United States have the opportunity to tour our nation’s capital and learn more about the telecommunications industry. More than 100 students typically take part. Hardy sponsors two students for the tour and pays all basic expenses, including hotel, meals, and transportation.
The agenda for this year’s FRS Youth Tour has the group visiting the Smithsonian Museums, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, National Cathedral, Newseum, U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and Mount Vernon.
Paula currently serves on Hardy’s Youth Advisory Board. She participates in the EHHS Band, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and the National Honor Society. She is active in 4-H and enjoys community service.
Paula became interested in the FRS Youth Tour after hearing about it during a Hardy Youth Advisory Board meeting.
“I would like to participate because I think this is a great opportunity to get to learn something new. I would also like to bring new ideas and challenges back to Hardy County,” she wrote in her application.
Jacy Barr is president of her Moorefield High class and is a member of the Spanish Club and Future Farmers of America. She also participates in 4-H and is involved in her church youth group.
“I would like to participate (in the FRS Youth Tour) to try new and exciting things as well as learn lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life,” she wrote.
Derek Barr said the tour is educational in addition to being a lot of fun.
“Besides seeing all of the sights, the tour gives the students a chance to learn about the telecommunications industry and the governmental process. The group meets with several members of the Federal Communications Commission and is able to ask questions about rural telecommunications issues,” he said.
“It’s important because we have to make sure that Congress, the President and federal agencies like the FCC ensure that rural students have the same access to modern, affordable broadband and telecommunications service that urban students enjoy. If we don’t make our voices heard, we run the risk of rural areas being left behind in favor of urban areas.”
Established in 1994 by NTCA – the Rural Broadband Association, the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that promotes, educates and advocates rural telecom issues in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life within communities throughout rural America.