The Foundation for Rural Education (FRED) is pleased to announce that for the seventh year high school juniors and seniors from around the U.S. and Canada will participate in the Leadership Through Learning Program, sponsored by National Exchange Carrier Association. Bethany Gamble, representing United Telephone Company, will join 14 other students from across the country to attend this program, which is scheduled for March 9-15 in Washington, D.C. Travis Ryder was selected as an alternate, in the event that one of the 15 selected students is unable to attend the conference.

Bethany and Travis are both seniors at Forrest High School. They were required to submit applications and were chosen because of the strength of their essays, letters of nomination and community and school involvement. Students are nominated by a local telephone company, such as United Telephone Company, which is a member of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies, a national trade association located in Washington, D.C.

See Friday's Tribune for the complete story.