Untitled Document

	Katlyn Stricklend Participates in National Youth Program Arab, AL– From April 11-April 16, 2010, Miss Katlyn Stricklend of Arab participated in the Leadership Through Learning Youth Program hosted by Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED). She was one of 12 high school juniors and seniors who traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the week-long program sponsored by telecommunications-related organizations such as the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), Berry Directory Publishing Co., and the Association of Communication Engineers. Katlyn was required to submit an application and was chosen because of the strength of her essay, letters of nomination, plus her community and school involvement. All students selected to participate in the program were from rural areas and were nominated by a local telephone company, like Otelco Telephone, that is a member of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO), a national trade association located in Washington, D.C. Throughout the week, students were on the go from morning to night. They were able to visit all of the memorials and monuments in the D.C. area, and learn about the events or people they honor. The students also attended daily workshops, which included debates and lectures on current topics. A highlight of the week included a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional representatives and their staff. “I really enjoyed getting to meet with Rep. Aderholt and share my political thoughts with Him. I’m grateful for such a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I’ll never forget. It was such a wonderful learning experience for all of us who went, “ Katlyn said. FRED is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation affiliated with OPASTCO. More information about the 2010 Leadership Through Learning Program and other FRED programs is available at www.fred.org. Questions about FRED programs should be directed to Amanda Thaxton, FRED Program Coordinator, at 202/659-5990 ext. 264 or by e-mail at ant@opastco.org.

Katlyn Stricklend Participates
in National Youth Program

Arab, AL–
From April 11-April 16, 2010, Miss Katlyn Stricklend of Arab participated in the Leadership Through Learning Youth Program hosted by Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED). She was one of 12 high school juniors and seniors who traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the week-long program sponsored by telecommunications-related organizations such as the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), Berry Directory Publishing Co., and the Association of Communication Engineers.

Katlyn was required to submit an application and was chosen because of the strength of her essay, letters of nomination, plus her community and school involvement. All students selected to participate in the program were from rural areas and were nominated by a local telephone company, like Otelco Telephone, that is a member of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO), a national trade association located in Washington, D.C.

Throughout the week, students were on the go from morning to night. They were able to visit all of the memorials and monuments in the D.C. area, and learn about the events or people they honor. The students also attended daily workshops, which included debates and lectures on current topics. A highlight of the week included a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional representatives and their staff.

“I really enjoyed getting to meet with Rep. Aderholt and share my political thoughts with Him. I’m grateful for such a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I’ll never forget. It was such a wonderful learning experience for all of us who went, “ Katlyn said.

FRED is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation affiliated with OPASTCO. More information about the 2010 Leadership Through Learning Program and other FRED programs is available at www.fred.org. Questions about FRED programs should be directed to Amanda Thaxton, FRED Program Coordinator, at 202/659-5990 ext. 264 or by e-mail at ant@opastco.org.