This release was first published at FRS.org.
Foundation for Rural Service Names Winners of Inaugural Rural Youth App Challenge
Winning app leverages the Gig Economy by connecting the rural community to free tech support
Arlington, Va., (May 21, 2018)—The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) is dedicated to improving quality of life in America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. In pursuit of this mission, FRS recently concluded its first-ever Rural Youth App Challenge, asking students to develop concepts for mobile apps that would address a problem or improve a process in their rural community or in rural America at-large. Each team was supported by a member of NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association.
FRS is pleased to announce the Speed Geeks, a team of students sponsored by Endeavor Communications (Cloverdale, Ind.) is this year’s Rural Youth App Challenge winner. Each member of the five-person team will receive a $200 Amazon gift card and a yearlong subscription to Codecademy Pro, thanks to the sponsorship of NISC and Mapcom Systems.
The Speed Geeks’ app would connect members of the community with free tech support, to ensure they are maximizing the usefulness of various devices. The innovation of the Speed Geeks’ approach was to let members of the community who have tech knowledge connect with members of the community that need tech help. The application demonstrated a deep personal knowledge of the benefits and challenges of living in a rural community and a commitment to improving the quality of life in Cloverdale.
Runners-up in this year’s App Challenge included Water to Land, an app that would allow visitors to maximize their visits to a local state park; Cowculator, an app that aims to make the lives of cattle farmers easier; and AgExp, an app that would help farmers better manage crops and livestock.
“Our team at FRS was amazed by the results of this inaugural app challenge. The entries we received were diverse in approach and thoughtful, reinforcing that students throughout rural America are passionate about serving and improving their communities,” said FRS Executive Director Jessica Golden. “We thank the sponsors and collaborators who made this program a success, and wish all the applicants the best.”
The Rural Youth App Challenge is the latest way FRS has engaged youth in rural America. Earlier this month, FRS announced the 53 students who were awarded academic scholarships by the foundation. Next month, FRS will welcome dozens of high school students from rural areas to Washington, D.C., for its annual Youth Tour. In cooperation with NTCA and its nearly 850 member companies, FRS consistently finds innovative ways to harness the power of the rural communications industry to enrich lives. You can read more about the App Challenge Winners and the work of FRS online.
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The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), in cooperation with NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. FRS is committed to educational achievement in rural communities, recognizing that tomorrow’s economic and civic development depends on the involvement and commitment of today’s youth. Visit us at www.frs.org.
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.
National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) is an information technology cooperative that develops, implements and supports software and hardware solutions for our Members/Customers. We deliver advanced solutions, services and support to more than 860 independent telephone companies, electric cooperatives and other public power entities. NISC is an industry leader providing information technology solutions including billing, accounting, operations, automated mailroom services, third-party integration as well as many other solutions. With facilities in Mandan, N.D., Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Shawano, Wis., NISC and its subsidiaries employ more than 1,200 professionals between the four locations. Additional information about NISC can be found at www.nisc.coop.
Mapcom Systems is the developer of M4 Solutions Suite, a visual operations support system that helps communications providers manage their workforce and networks, including both outside and inside plant, at the physical and logical levels. Mapcom Systems serves communications providers around the world. Visit Mapcom Systems atwww.mapcom.com.