2009 Leadership Through Learning Youth Program Sponsored by NECA
FRED and NECA are teaming up to 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. This year, the program takes place over the dates of April 19-24, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Applications for the 2009 program are now available

Download an application here!

For the seventh year in a row, NECA sponsored the Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED) Leadership Through Learning Youth Program. From March 9 to March 15, 2008, 14 high school juniors and seniors who live in or attend school in an OPASTCO member’s service area will travel to Washington, D.C., on this all-expense-paid trip. The students hailed from all parts of the country— from Vermont to Montana!

2008 Leadership Through Learning Program Participants
and Nominating Telephone Companies

David Tomporowski, Perham, MN
Arvig Communications Systems

Julia Robertson, Kincardine, ON
Bruce Telecom

Kirsten Nikki Greenway, Crowder, OK
Canadian Valley Telephone Company

Jessica Crase, McAlester, OK
Canadian Valley Telephone Company

Jean Brunsman, Sunman, IN
Enhanced Telecommunications Corporation

Shawna Kennedy, Leoma, TN
Loretto Telephone Company

Kurt Berning, Mt. Angel, OR
Mt. Angel Telephone Company

Megan Taylor, Rolla, KS
Pioneer Communications

Wyatt Robinson, Hill City, KS
Rural Telephone Service Company Inc.

Angelica Engel, Rudolph, WI
Solarus

Hannah Westfall, Nineveh, NY
TDS Telecom

Sarah Lamoureux, Schoharie, NY
The Middleburgh Telephone Company

Bethany Gamble, Chapel Hill, TN
United Telephone Company

Abby Zarotny, Waitsfield, VT
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom

Alternates
Joshua Maples, Elkmont, AL
Ardmore Telephone Company

MegAnna Schlais, Naknek, AK
Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Travis Ryder, Chapel Hill, TN
United Telephone Company

On Sunday March 9th, fourteen students from several states and one province arrived in Washington, D.C. for an exciting fast-paced week with FRED and the Close Up Foundation. Monday morning, students headed for their bus and departed Rockville, MD, for Downtown Washington, where the first stop was at the World War II memorial. The participants enjoyed finding their state and reading inspirational carvings around the large park. After a short walk up the reflecting pool, students toured the Vietnam Memorial and Korean Memorial. The group then traveled to the ESPN Zone for lunch and afterward visited the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Next, the students headed to Capitol Hill for a "walking workshop" that prepared them for the following day.  That evening, students participated in workshops.

Tuesday was an early morning as students had appointments on Capitol Hill. A lucky few students had the opportunity to meet with their congressional representatives, while others at least went to their offices and had private tours of the Capitol. During the rest of the day, participants took in the sights at the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the Botanic Gardens.

To begin on Wednesday, students listened to Katelyn Archer from Mobilize.org, who spoke about how young adults can increase their civic engagement and political participation. The group then had lunch at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum. Following lunch, participants toured the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Before heading back to the hotel for workshops, everyone had a quick opportunity to see the Kennedy Center.

Thursday morning was a highlight of the week. FRED students were part of the live studio audience for Close Up's weekly program on CSPAN-2. During the hour long broadcast, three FRED participants were featured asking political questions to representatives from both the Republican and Democratic National Committees. Later that afternoon, students had a preview of the Newseum that will not open to the public until mid-April. The group then had dinner at Union Station followed by an evening of touring the White House gates, the Washington Monument, The Air Force Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial, which were all illuminated by lights.

On Friday, FRED brought all fourteen students into the OPASTCO office for a brief telecom workshop, and meeting with Peter Peretzman and Colin Sandy from NECA. Students then participated in some leadership exercises before heading to lunch at the Natural History Museum. Following lunch, the group walked to the Old Post Office for a panoramic view of the city and some shopping. There was a quick stop made at the front gates of the White House for some photos, before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the closing banquet.

Friday Night and Saturday morning were filled with hard goodbyes as students departed for their homes. The week was a success as all students left with more knowledge and life-long friends then when they arrived.

Past Leadership Through Learning Programs

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