Hardy Telecommunications will send two local students on a four-day trip to our nation’s capital, giving them the chance to see our country’s historic sites and meet students from all over the United States.
One student each from Moorefield and East Hardy high schools will be selected to attend the 2015 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., May 30-June 3. The trip includes sightseeing to D.C.’s famous landmarks as well as educational sessions to teach today’s youth about the telecommunications industry. Hardy will pay all basic expenses, including travel.
The Youth Tour provides students from rural areas with a first-hand look at the telecommunications industry and educates students about the legislative and governmental processes. Students will visit the U.S. Capitol Building and hear presentations from representatives of Capitol Hill and the Federal Communications Commission.
Hardy sponsored current East Hardy High Senior Madalynn Payne and Moorefield High Senior Ben Shirk for the 2014 Youth Tour. Both said they loved the experience.
“The (FRS Youth Tour) was a trip that I will never forget,” Madalynn wrote. “The trip also gave me the chance to see memorials and museums that I would not have been able to see otherwise. I felt like I was walking through history, and I realized that I am a small part of our history to come.
“It allowed me to meet new people such as another student from my county, my roommate from Kansas, and a new friend from Texas… Thank you, Hardy.”
In addition to the FCC and U.S. Capitol, past groups have visited the National Cathedral; Mount Vernon; Arlington National Cemetery; the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall; the Vietnam, Korean, and World War II war memorials; the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial; and the Lincoln Memorial.
Applications for the tour may be picked up from the guidance counselors at both East Hardy and Moorefield high schools or by contacting Derek Barr at Hardy’s offices. To be eligible for the trip, students must be either 16 or 17 years old at the time of the tour and receive telephone, Internet or television service from Hardy Telecommunications. Because the tour attracts youths from across the country, Hardy is limited to sending only one student each from Moorefield High and East Hardy High.
The FRS will not accept any student age 18 or older. No exceptions will be made. Preference also will be given to students from the 2016 graduating class.
The deadline to return applications is February 13, 2015. Applications may be returned to either the high school guidance counselors or to Derek at Hardy’s offices.