Nathan Brungardt of Great Bend has been selected by the Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED) to attend the Leadership through Learning program from April 22-27 in Washington, D. C. Nathan is the son of Dan Brungardt and is a junior at Great Bend High School.

FRED created the program to recognize the importance of providing educational opportunities to future leaders. The program is open to any high school junior or senior living or attending school within the service area of, and nominated by, an OPASTCO telephone company member. Eleven students were selected from all parts of the country to participate in 2012, although they will join with peers from additional programs for a total group size of nearly 200 students.

Program participants will learn about government, civic affairs, and telecommunications. Students will observe the federal government at work, witness the development of public policy and explore the roles of citizens, lawmakers, experts, associations and businesses in America. The program takes students behind the scenes and also provides visits to national monuments and Capital Hill.

"Nominating students for this program is another way of expressing Nex-Tech’s commitment to northwest Kansas," said Jacque Beckman, Nex-Tech’s Youth Services and Community Development Coordinator. "We understand that retaining our youth is vital to the success of our rural communities. We hope that by providing our youth with telecommunications services comparable to those found in urban areas, as well as exposing them to cultural and educational opportunities, such as the FRED Leadership Through Learning Program, our youth will remain in and become active members of their rural communities."

Nex-Tech is a subsidiary of Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. and provides a full line of voice and data services to residential, government, education and commercial clients.