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 peers from all over the United States.
One junior each from Moorefield and East Hardy high schools will be selected to attend the 2013 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 1-5. The trip includes sightseeing as well as educational sessions to teach today’s youth about the telecommunications industry. Hardy Telecommunications 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. All of the students are sponsored by rural telecommunications companies like Hardy Telecommunications.
East Hardy High Senior Parker Baranowski and Moorefield High Senior Brooke Shockey participated in the 2012 Youth Tour. Both students called the trip a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
“Exploring the capital of our great nation with what started as strangers made it feel as if you had known those other students all of your life,” Parker said.
Brooke Shockey said the tour offered a good blend of sightseeing and educational sessions about telecommunications.
“It is hard to pick my favorite part of the trip. However, I enjoyed visiting the war memorials best,” she said.
Both urged current juniors to apply for the 2013 tour.
“I would encourage anyone else who had even a slight interest in telecommunications to participate in the tour,” Parker said.
Brooke shared the same sentiments.
“I strongly encourage others to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime chance, they will not regret it,” she said.
This year’s preliminary agenda includes visits to the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, Mount Vernon (home of George Washington), the Vietnam War Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, the Korean War Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. A night tour of Washington and special entertainment are also planned, including a dance the final night complete with professional DJ.
Because of the widespread interest in the tour from students around the country, Hardy can only sponsor one student from Moorefield High and one from East Hardy High. Applications for the tour may be picked up from the guidance counselors at both high schools or by contacting Derek at Hardy’s Lost River Office, telephone 304-897-9911. To be eligible for the trip, students must be high school juniors of the 2014 graduating class and be either 16 or 17 years old at the time of the tour. Students must also receive service from either Hardy Telecommunications or HardyNet.
The deadline to return applications is February 15, 2013. Applications may be returned to either the high school guidance counselors or directly to Derek Barr, Marketing/Human Resource Director, Hardy Telecommunications, 2255 Kimseys Run Road, Lost River, WV 26810.