Garden Valley sends Grygla student to our nation’s capital

About FRS

The FRS (Foundation for Rural Service) Youth Tour provides high school students from across rural America a chance to visit our nation’s capital and learn about rural telecommunications – and to tell their community’s story. Since 1995, the tour has hosted thousands of students and provides a forum for teens to meet and interact with their peers from other rural communities as well as key legislative, regulatory and government figures.

Two high school students, age 16 or 17, who receive services from Garden Valley, were eligible to win this all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the FRS Youth Tour.

Layla Jelle was among the chosen. She will be a senior at Grygla High School in the fall, and is the daughter of Mike and Shonda Jelle.

The FRS Youth Tour began on the afternoon of Saturday, June 1st. After the group of about 120 kids arrived and got settled in, the evening included a buffer dinner, a review of the youth tour and an orientation on the daily activities to come. Jelle was assigned to room with another young lady from Georgia during her stay and says she got to meet a lot of people from all over the United States on this trip.

Sunday, June 2nd, was a full day for the group. It included a tour of Arlington National Cemetery, a visit to the Smithsonian Museum, a night tour of D.C., including stops at the White House and the WWII, Vietnam & Korean War Memorials, and also the Lincoln Monument.

Monday, June 3rd, started out with an Educational Session: “A Visit to the Hill.” Sightseeing time was at the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress and Supreme Court. The afternoon tour stops were at the Jefferson, FDR & Martin Luther King Memorials. After bowling and dinner that evening, an FRS breakout session was held on Rural America. 

Tuesday, June 4th, started out with another Educational Session: “A Visit to the FCC.” Along with a tour of the Newseum, the group also toured Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. A farewell dinner and dance was held this evening before the group departed for home on Wednesday, June 5th. 

Of her experience, Layla says, “Before attending this trip, I really didn’t know what to expect, but let me tell you, it was the best experience I’ve ever had!” She added, I’m so appreciative of Garden Valley for giving me this opportunity and FRS for making it all possible!”