Hays, KS, September 3, 2026 — Nex-Tech is pleased to announce Augustus Peine as a recipient of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) scholarship and Bethany Simmelink as a recipient of the Diana Jo Dreyer Memorial Scholarship. Both students were among the 60 students nationwide who were awarded FRS Scholarships this year.
Bethany was the only student to receive the $2,500 Diana Jo Dreyer Memorial Scholarship, funded by Indatel Services LLC and Diana Jo Dreyer family. She is the daughter of Chad & Jennifer Simmelink of Esbon. A recent graduate of Rock Hills High School, Bethany plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue a degree in Accounting & Finance/Agribusiness.
Augustus was one of 39 recipients of a $2,500 FRS General Scholarship. He is the son of Derek & Sarah Peine of Hays. A recent graduate of Ellis High School, Augustus plans to also attend Kansas State University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
The FRS awarded a total of $185,000 to 60 students from rural communities served by membersof NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, such as Nex-Tech. The program awards one-time scholarships to students from across rural America for their first year of college, university, or vocational-technical school, and one scholarship to a student entering law school. Each student is sponsored by an NTCA member company.
”Nex-Tech values its involvement with national organizations like FRS that are dedicated to creating advancement opportunities for youth,” said Jimmy Todd, CEO/General Manager. “We congratulate Augustus and Bethany on their academic achievements to date and wish them continued success as they move forward in their educational journeys.“
“Every year, I am inspired by the amazing students who apply for an FRS scholarship,” said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. “The students who received scholarships this year should be proud of their achievements. We had over 1,000 applications for the 60 scholarships we awarded. Providing opportunities for people at every stage of life has always been at the heart of what we do, and that would not be possible without the generous support of NTCA members and dedicated individuals across the rural broadband industry.”
A full list of scholarship awardees and the NTCA member companies who are partnering with FRS to make the funding possible is available online.