Will Kessler of Deer River Wins Paul Bunyan Communications Youth Tour Essay Contest

(Bemidji, MN) (March 20, 2018) – Paul Bunyan Communications has selected Will Kessler of Deer River as the winner of the cooperative's 2018 Youth Tour Essay Contest. Will is currently a sophomore from Deer River who is home schooled and is the son of Stephanie and Leland Kessler. He will attend the 2018 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 2-6, with all expenses paid by Paul Bunyan Communications.

The trip features a comprehensive overview of the telecommunications industry, including careers in telecom, the critical role telecommunications plays in rural America, and how legislative and regulatory decisions affect the industry. The tour allows youth to meet with members of Congress who represent rural constituents. They also participate in educational sessions about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Students visit some of the nation's most historic sites, including Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Museums, and a beautiful night tour of our Washington D.C.

"The FRS Youth Tour is such a unique opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and you gain a better perspective on how decisions there impact our cooperative and rural areas like ours. We're excited for Will to get the chance to be a part of such an amazing trip!" said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

The Foundation for Rural Service is dedicated to informing and to improving the quality of life throughout rural America. Each year, it organizes the Youth Tour, designed to educate rural youth about the telecommunications industry and the federal political process. The FRS is a subsidiary of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), of which Paul Bunyan Communications is a member.

This is the 22nd consecutive year that Paul Bunyan Communications has participated in sending a local high school student to the Youth Tour.