January 25, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Karen P. Powell, Public Relations Manager
Skyline Telephone Membership Corporation
(336) 982-3800, ext. 6117
e-mail: karen.powell@skyline.org

SkyLine Announces Participation in FRS Scholarship Program

WEST JEFFERSON, NC: SkyLine Membership Corporation announces its participation in the 2005 Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship Program as a cooperative sponsor. Through SkyLine’s involvement in this program, children of SkyLine members who are graduating high school seniors may apply for the FRS scholarships. FRS was established in 1994 by the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), of which SkyLine is a member. The FRS promotes, educates and advocates rural telecom issues in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life within communities throughout rural America. Through its various programs and initiatives, the foundation strongly supports the continuing education of rural youth. “ SkyLine is very pleased to partner with the FRS in sponsoring its scholarship program,” said John Dixon, SkyLine Chief Executive Officer. “Several years ago, our board made a commitment to provide scholarship opportunities to our members’ children through the establishment of the Frank James-SkyLine Scholarship, and this latest initiative only reinforces that commitment,” Dixon said.

In 2005, a total of 25 one-time, $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to rural high school seniors: one per geographic region of the NTCA membership and one to a student sponsored by a NTCA associate member. The remaining 14 awards will be distributed proportionate to the number of applications received per region. FRS will fund $2,000 of each scholarship, with the sponsoring cooperative of each winning student providing a $500 match.
According to the FRS, more than two-thirds of rural Americans with postsecondary degrees never return to their rural communities, so this program gives particular emphasis to those students who plan to return to their community following college. Other eligibility requirements include the following:
• Applicants must be children of SkyLine members.
• Applicants must be graduating high school seniors.
• Applicants must have at least a C grade-point-average (GPA). FRS scholarships will be awarded to deserving students whose academic credentials fall within an average to above-average range.
• Applicants must be accepted to an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.
• Applicants must express an interest to return to a rural community following graduation.
• Applications must be sponsored by SkyLine, an NTCA-member company.
Application packets are available at all area high school guidance departments and at SkyLine Customer Service Centers in West Jefferson, Seven Devils and Sparta.

Scholarship information and application forms also may be accessed through SkyLine’s Web site (www.skyline.org). Completed applications must be submitted to SkyLine’s corporate offices by Tuesday, February 22. All applicants must be sponsored by SkyLine, and completed applications received by this deadline will be signed by the CEO and submitted to the FRS for consideration by the March 1 postmark deadline. If any SkyLine sponsored students are named winners, they will be announced in May, in conjunction with area high school awards day programs. For more information about the FRS Scholarship, please contact Karen Powell, SkyLine Public Relations Manager, at SkyLine’s corporate offices at (800) 759-2226.