Youth Corner
We Build Stronger Communities by Investing in Our Youth
At Mid Century, we are dedicated to supporting youth and schools by providing access to essential technology and offering opportunities like Youth Day, the Youth to Washington, D.C. tour, and our College Scholarship Program.
College Scholarship
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), in cooperation with the NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. In keeping with its mission, furthering the education of rural youth is one of the foundation’s primary focuses. Our company, Mid Century Telephone Cooperative, is a member of the NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association and is proud to support FRS in this worthy endeavor.
These scholarships are available to students for the student’s first year of college or vocational school. All applicants require sponsorship by an NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association member company to be eligible and must meet the following eligibility requirements.
- Must be a graduating high school senior
- Have at least a C grade point average
- Be accepted by an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, or vocational-technical school
- Must live in a household with telephone service provided by Mid Century Telephone Cooperative. These exchanges are Altona (484), Bishop Hill (927), Ellisville (293), Fairview (778), Gilson (876), Lafayette (995), Maquon (875), Marietta (926), Smithfield (783), Summum (759), Table Grove (758), Victoria (879), Williamsfield (639), and Yates City (358).
Mid Century will award up to four $1,000 scholarships. Should a student from our service area be selected as a national FRS winner ($2,000), Mid Century will contribute an additional $1,000 to the scholarship, brining the total one-time scholarship award to $3,000.
Scholarship applications will only be accepted online on Kaleidoscope and are due by Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:59 P.M. EST.
If you need assistance or have questions about the scholarship program, please contact marketing@midcentury.com.
Sidney Stiers from Williamsfield, IL receives
2024 Mid Century Scholarship Award for $1,000
Olivia Miller from Cuba, IL, receives
2024 Mid Century Scholarship Award for $1,000
Youth Day
Mid Century proudly participates in the annual Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day in Springfield, IL, a program that has inspired young leaders for over 50 years. Each year, nearly 300 students meet public officials, explore the legislative process, and experience democracy in action.
Mid Century sponsors students from area high schools serving our members, with transportation and meals provided at no cost.
At the end of Youth Day, two students are selected to represent Mid Century on the “Youth to Washington” tour, a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to our nation’s capital. Both Youth Day and the Washington, D.C., tour offer incredible opportunties to educate and empower our youth.
Youth to Washington, D.C. Tour
Each June, Mid Century sponsors two area students on the “Youth to Washington, D.C. Tour”, a week-long trip packed full of fun, learning, and new friendships. Over 1,500 students from across the nation participate, visiting historic sites, meeting legislators, and learning about the role of cooperatives.
Selected from the Youth Day participants, students attend at no cost, aside from personal expenses. Other students may join the trip as “Willies” by covering their costs.
The tour provides a deeper understanding of cooperatives, democracy, and our nation’s history through visits to monuments, government buildings, and meetings with elected officials. It’s a chance to celebrate and empower exceptional rural youth.
Meetings with elected officials give students a deeper understanding of the federal government, the political process, and democracy. Most importantly, the tour allows Mid Century to recognize and celebrate the achievements of exceptional youth people from rural communities.