Pictured left to right: (back row) Jennifer Ray, counselor; Clay Snider, high school principal; Lisa Winberry, BPS manager (front row) Monica and Dale Putnam, parents; Patrick Ward, student (center).BPS Telephone Company is sponsoring an educational tour of the Nation's capital for an area student, June 4 – 8, 2011.   This is the fourteenth year BPS Telephone Company has sponsored a student to Washington, D. C.   BPS Telephone Company rotates between its schools in making a selection.  This is the fifth time a student from Cooter has been chosen.   For year 2011, Patrick Ward has been selected to represent BPS Telephone Company at the National Youth Tour.      While in Washington Patrick will get an inside look at the telecommunications industry, learn about the legislative and governmental processes, visit famous historical sites including the Smithsonian Institution, the U. S. Capitol, Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery.   He will be joined by 100 high school juniors from across rural America.      

 Today's youth are the future of telecommunications in rural America and we hope that by educating them about the industry, we will not only broaden their horizons, but strengthen our communities," said Lisa Winberry, Manager of BPS Telephone Co.      We are proud to have a role in educating our local youth and contributing to the future economic health of our communities."

 The trip is hosted by the Foundation for Rural Service of which BPS Telephone Company supports and is a member.  

 The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), in cooperation with the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life throughout rural America by advancing an understanding of rural telecommunications issues.

 The Foundation for Rural Service's annual Youth Tour is one of the most visible examples of FRS's involvement and commitment to our community’s rural youth.