Moorefield High School student Josiah Whetzel had “a blast” during the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., even as he developed a new appreciation for the challenges of providing broadband service in rural areas like Hardy County.
Many of today’s youth take Internet service for granted, but there still are many areas of the country and world that lack reliable service, especially at the speeds necessary to fully participate in modern society.
By visiting the Federal Communications Commission and talking with other rural youth from across the United States, Josiah realized just how different modern life would be without Internet, from maintaining contact with loved ones to public safety.
“You don’t even get to see what’s up in other countries since the news only covers so much,” he said. “That is why (rural providers) are very important, and new technology to help get alerts out there faster to help protect the people.”
Josiah, sponsored by Hardy Telecommunications, spent June 2-6 in D.C. He was one of more than 100 students from all over the country. The trip involves visiting many of the city’s historic sites as well as learning about telecommunications and the challenges faced by service providers in rural areas.
The students also heard about governmental processes and federal agencies that oversee the telecommunications industry. The students heard from FCC Chair Brendan Carr about serving rural areas.
The Youth Tour takes the students to many of the famous historical landmarks in D.C. The group toured the U.S. Capitol and visited the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, and Vietnam War Memorial during a night walking tour. During a visit to the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall, Josiah visited the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum. Students also visited congressional office buildings.
Several things made an impact on Josiah.
“I liked (the Air and Space Museum), learning how we discovered aviation,” he said.
At the Natural History Museum, he enjoyed seeing “how nature works through its history of animals on earth.”
“The monuments were one of my favorites, walking through the remembrance of those who fought” in World War II, Vietnam, and Korea, he said.
Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier carried special weight.
“The Arlington National Cemetery is the best one of all, to see the sacrifice of all the (soldiers) who fought to keep our freedom,” he said.
Meeting other youth from rural areas always is a highlight for students. Josiah said he met four students from Alaska, and thinking about their home and the mountains of states like West Virginia illustrated the importance of rural Internet providers that serve areas the big companies will not serve.
“Talking with them, learning where they were from and how rural they are was cool,” he said.
The students enjoyed sharing stories of their common rural lifestyle experiences.
“They know how I feel being in a small town and the life of living in a small community,” he said.
Without modern, reliable Internet, “I would not even be able to say Hi to them again,” he said.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience.
“It was a great trip. I met lots of new people and learned many new things,” he said.
“Thank you, Hardy Telecommunications, for sponsoring me. It was a blast.”
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) was established in 1994 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) by NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association.