2012 Leadership Through Learning Youth Program
The Foundation for Rural Education (FRED) welcomed high school juniors and seniors from around the U.S. to Washington, DC, for the Leadership Through Learning Program.  The program, now in its tenth year, provides rural youth with an all expense-paid trip to Washington to learn about government, leadership and telecommunications. The week started off on Sunday April 22nd, when all of the students arrived in Washington, on time and in great spirits.  They quickly began mingling and getting to know each other. 

Monday began with tours of the Jefferson, FDR and Martin Luther King Jr. memorials, a study visit outside the White House, and a neighborhood visit to Chinatown. There was a quick stop off for pizza for dinner and back into evening workshops.  The night concluded with a Domestic Issues Debate between a Conservative and a Liberal.

Tuesday the 24th started with walking workshop on Capitol Hill and World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials while enjoying the beautiful weather.  An afternoon seminar on Women in Military Service followed by a Mock Congress Simulation rounded out the day.

On Wednesday, students had a long day of meetings on Capitol Hill, where they met with their Senators and Representatives.  After dinner at Union Station, they were rewarded with a quick stop at Georgetown Cupcake for a sweet treat.  The evening concluded with a visit to the Pentagon’s 911 Memorial and the Air Force Memorial in Virginia.

On Thursday April 26th, the FRED students participated in a telecom workshop at the OPASCTCO office.  The students learned about FRED and OPASTCO while discussing leadership qualities with several representatives from both organizations.  For lunch, the group headed to the Natural History Museum followed by stops at the American History Museum and the National Archives.  The evening wrapped up with closing ceremonies, a banquet and a dance. Early on Friday, the students said their goodbyes but took their memories home with them to share with friends and family.

To be eligible for the program, students had to be nominated by an OPASTCO member.

We are pleased to announce the 2012 class of FRED's LTL program:

Callie Morris, Canadian Valley Telephone Company, Oklahoma
Whitni Irving, Comporium, South Carolina
Chauncey Stephens, East Ascension Telephone Co., LLC, Louisiana
Brendan Stanton, Ketchikan Public Utilities, Alaska
Morgan Ingram, Loretto Telephone Company Inc., Tennessee
Grace Caza, The Middleburgh Telephone Company, New York
Emily Stokley, Pine Belt Telephone Company, Alabama
Bret Gum, Pioneer Communications, Kansas
Camden Goetz, Solarus, Wisconsin
Nathan Brungardt, Rural Telephone Service Company Inc., Kansas

The 2012 LTL Program is sponsored by:

Highlights of the 2011 Leadership Through Learning Program can be found here!

Congratulations to the 2011 Leadership Through Learning Participants

2010 Leadership Through Learning Youth Program

Sponsored by: NECA, Berry and Association of Communication Engineers (ACE)
In April 2010, FRED will provide rural students the learning opportunity of a lifetime. The Leadership Through Learning program provides a hands-on approach to education. High school juniors and seniors from across the U.S. are invited to spend an all expense-paid week in our nation’s capital to learn about government, civic affairs and telecommunications regulation as well as to meet students their own age from all parts of the country.

The program dates are April 11 - 16, 2010. 12 high school juniors and seniors who live in or attend school in an OPASTCO member’s service area will travel to Washington, DC, on this all-expense-paid trip.

Follow this link for the 2010 LTL Press Release template for telcos.

Highlights of the 2010 LTL program can be found on FRED's Facebook page.

Congratulations to the 2010 participants of FRED's Leadership Through Learning Program

Katlyn Stricklend, Brindlee Mountain Telephone Company, AL
Kevin Gustafson, Christensen Communications Company, MN
Shelby Merrick, Hiawatha Telephone Company, MI
Shelayne Greaves, Ketchikan Public Utilities, AK
Kayla Kelley, Loretto Telephone Company Inc., TN
Melanie Junge, The Middleburgh Telephone Company, NY
Jill Brooks, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc., OK
Rebecca Watson, PBT Telecom, Inc., SC
Samantha Schwertfeger, South Central Telephone Association, Inc., KS
Matthew Stoltz, Solarus, WI
Chelsey Bowman, United Telephone Company, TN
Zach Pasteris, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom VT

Past Leadership Through Learning Programs

2009 Leadership Through Learning Pictures
2008 Leadership Through Learning Program
2007 Leadership Through Learning Program
2006 Leadership Through Learning Program
2005 Leadership Through Learning Program
2004 Leadership Through Learning Program
2003 Leadership Through Learning Program
2002 Leadership Through Learning Program