Pineland Telephone Cooperative announces FRS Scholarship Recipients

Pineland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. proudly announces that two exceptional local students, Allie Rigdon and Halli Johnson, have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) General Scholarships. Each student will receive a one-time scholarship award of $2,500, which includes a $500 contribution from Pineland as the sponsoring NTCA member company.

The FRS Scholarship Program, in partnership with NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, supports students from rural communities pursuing higher education. This year, FRS awarded a total of $160,500 in scholarships to 50 students nationwide.

Allie and Halli are graduates of Emanuel County Institute (ECI) in Twin City, and plan to continue their studies at the University of Georgia in Athens. They were selected based on their academic excellence, community involvement, and commitment to pursuing higher education.

“Allie and Halli are examples of the bright future ahead for rural America,” said Dustin Durden, CEO of Pineland Telephone Cooperative. “Their achievements remind us of the importance of investing in our youth, and we are proud to support them as they take the next steps in their education.”

For more information about the FRS Scholarship Program and other youth initiatives, visit www.frs.org.

Pineland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. serves over 2,000 square miles with its Phone, Internet, and Technology services in all or parts of thirteen counties in South Georgia. In its 74th year, 100% of Pineland’s Phone and Internet customers receive their services via a Fiber-to-the-Home network offering Gigabit enabled broadband connections. Pineland’s mission is to offer an outstanding customer experience through the efficient delivery of progressive technology solutions in the markets served. We will achieve this mission by applying our Core Values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, and a Servant’s Heart in everything we do. Visit us at www.pineland.net.

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of 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. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS focuses on educating rural youth, encouraging community development, and introducing policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. 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. 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.