Ms. MacDonald recently graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA. She will begin her freshman year at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY in the fall.

"Granite State Telephone was proud to sponsor and recommend Kiera Smith MacDonald for the FRED Scholarship," explains Susan Rand King, president. "Ms. MacDonald's strong academic history as well as her determination to be an exemplary member of the community, made her an excellent candidate for a FRED Scholarship. I am confident that with further education and resources she will grow to be an even stronger asset to her rural community in the future."

Each year, FRED recognizes outstanding students who have rural backgrounds, are interested in pursuing careers in the telecommunications industry, or show an interest in returning to rural America. This year, FRED awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 52 students. Close to 200 applicants applied for a scholarship this year.

FRED is a charitable organization established in 1989 by rural telephone companies like Granite State Telephone to address the educational and developmental needs of rural areas. The foundation raises funds to sponsor programs and activities that will further enhance the educational, social, and economic conditions of rural America.

Granite State Telephone is a locally owned and operated communications company serving the communities of Chester, East Deering, Hillsboro Upper Village, Sandown, Washington, Weare and Windsor with over a century of telecommunications experience. Affiliates include Granite State Long Distance, providing long distance telephone service, and GSInet offering high-speed Internet access, and full-service website hosting, development and maintenance.

Granite State Telephone president, Susan Rand
King, presents Kiera MacDonald with a $1,000
scholarship check from the Foundation for Rural
Education and Development (FRED).