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 2018 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 2-6. 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 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.
Hardy sponsored current East Hardy High Senior Clayton Strawderman and Moorefield High Senior Hannah Weatherholt in the 2017 Youth Tour. Both thanked Hardy Telecommunications for the unique experience.
“I visited many places I had never been, such as the Holocaust Museum and the Washington National Cathedral, all of which I found interesting. I met many students my age from all over the nation and am now friends with two people from Oregon, as well as others that I would never have met had it not been for this Youth Tour,” Hannah said.
Clayton also enjoyed the many historic sites.
“I also learned lots about the city, the buildings, and the history of the area. I enjoyed seeing and visiting the buildings and learning about their design – such as the iron in the Capitol dome and its size. We visited many places of historic value. We went to the National Mall and lots of museums. We visited the Lincoln Memorial and took a night tour of Washington, D.C. On the night tour, I saw the city from a different perspective,” he said.
In addition to the FCC and U.S. Capitol, past groups have visited 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 Barr at Hardy’s Moorefield Office, telephone 304-530-5000. To be eligible for the trip, students must be 16 or 17 years old at the time of the tour and receive either telephone, internet, or television service from Hardy Telecommunications. The FRS will not accept any student age 18 or over. No exceptions will be made. Preference also will be given to students from the 2019 graduating class.
The deadline to return applications is February 9, 2018. Applications may be returned to either the high school guidance counselors or directly to Derek Barr, Director of Customer Service and Sales, Marketing, and Human Resources, Hardy Telecommunications, 121 South Main St., Moorefield, WV 26836.