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 2016 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 4-8. 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 Sardana Coyle and Moorefield High Senior Mallory Sisler in the 2015 Youth Tour.
Mallory said the tour kept students busy, and she also enjoyed meeting youths from other states.
“The Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour was an amazing experience,” she said. “It was remarkable how much we packed into only a few days. I feel that I was able to experience Washington, D.C., as a whole new city. Every day I learned something new about rural development. The information I learned and the friends I made will stay with me forever.”
Sardana said hearing about the lives of other students made her appreciate her education at East Hardy High School.
“Meeting with other smart teenagers from rural backgrounds opened my eyes and made me realize that there are other people like me out there. Issues in our schools are similar to issues in schools in, say, Wisconsin and Minnesota,” she 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 2017 graduating class.
The deadline to return applications is February 17, 2016. 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.