Each year Blue Valley Tele-Communications (BVTC) selects one student from its service area for an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. The student represents the company during site seeing activities and educational sessions. This year, Oliver Schmitz, Axtell, was selected. Schmitz will travel to the Nation's capital in June, along with over 100 other rural students, to learn about rural telephony. Applicants were required to submit an essay entitled, ‘This is My Town; Through the Eyes of a Rural Teen’.

Schmitz described Axtell as a hardworking, multi-generational community of friendly and caring people. He recalled all the retired men with white beards and overalls sitting around Axtell Grain talking about everything under the sun. Describing the business as the gathering place of choice in town. Schmitz said, “I have enjoyed growing up in a rural town filled with strong, faithful people. I have many great memories and look forward to making new ones in my small town community.”

Schmitz, son of Joe and Amy Schmitz, is a junior at Axtell Public Schools. He is on the AHS cross country and track teams and is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, FFA, Scholars Bowl, Forensics, and Choir. Schmitz is also active in the Axtell Busy Bees 4H Club, Marshall County 4H Council, State 4H Dairy Judging Team, and is a Marshall County Farm Bureau FFA Ag Ambassador.