Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the winners of the Explore Student Video Contest Eastern Region. Middle school teams were judged on creating a 3-minute video about their manufacturing partner, the employees, and cool aspects of the company.

The FIRST PLACE recipient of the Best Manufacturing Message Award is Martinsburg South Middle School for their video about Logoplaste.  Martinsburg South’s winning video showcases how Logoplaste designs and manufactures innovative packaging using the most sustainable processes and materials.

Team members: Camden Exline, Nathaniel Palmer, Furquan Siddiqui, Malak Chehhab, Maroua Chehhab, and Jair Leonardo Cruz. 

Education leader: Cheryl Snyder.

Logoplaste support team: John Fulcher, Jordan Harris, Justin Hayslette, Rejjie Pierre, Arielle Ricardo, and Kevin Wetzel.

The SECOND PLACE recipient of the Best Manufacturing Message Award is Charles Town Middle School for their video about Mountaineer Popcorn Company. Charles Town’s winning video explores Mountaineer Popcorn Company’s process of making popcorn. 

Team members: Rieligh Dowell, Elizabeth Fetty, Kylee Low, Sabrinah Bell, Savanna Knight, Mary Martin, Georgia Barrett, Jaedyn Twyman, Greyson Braithwaite, and Joshua Slaughter.

Education leader: Charles (Chuck) Parker.

Mountaineer Popcorn support member: Erin Valasek

The Viewer's Choice Award was presented to Warm Springs Middle School for their video about Argos USA. The voting was open to students, parents, educators, and community members.

Team members: Owen Gray, Isabella Albanese, Abigail Culp, Kowen Proctor, Abigail Close, and Lilly Barkley.

Education leader: Jamie Harris.

Argos USA support team: Branson Catlett, Dina Didion, and Mike Seager.

Visit https://www.exploremfgwv.com/students/student-video-contest to watch all Student Video Contest videos!

“The Explore Student Video Contest is a favorite of students, teachers, and manufacturers,” said Executive Director Monica Cross.  “This year’s competitors stepped up to produce some great videos.  The regional contests are a vital component of our initiative to create awareness about the types of job opportunities modern-day manufacturing offers.” Explore the New Manufacturing creates student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for those positions in their local areas.  

The Explore Student Video Contest provides a first-hand glimpse into modern manufacturing for sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students. Explore the New Manufacturing provides each participating school with a video camera and kit. The program is funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and company and individual contributions.  

Explore the New Manufacturing announced today that Ohana Coleman has been recognized with an Emerging Elite in Manufacturing Award. A Hedgesville High School senior, Ohana attends James Rumsey Technical Institute (JRTI), where she studies applied engineering and is a member of the Vex robotics team. Ohana will receive a $500 award designated for scholarships, certification fees, or specialty equipment. She will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia.

Explore the New Manufacturing announced today that Sara Slatcoff has been recognized with an Outstanding Industry Educator Award. A physical science teacher at Spring Mills High School, Slatcoff has mentored Project Lead the Way pre-engineering students in Explore’s Manufacturing Innovation Challenge for the past three years. In 2022, her team earned the challenge’s Best in West Virginia award. Slatcoff will receive a $500 award for classroom enhancement. She will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia.  

“Sara Slatcoff is a dedicated educator who motivates and guides her students to understand that science is fun. She perfectly fits the description of this award,” said Executive Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing efforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas. “The Explore team has been impressed by Slatcoff’s student teams, and we are happy to count on her as an educational partner.”

The Outstanding Industry Educator awardees are making positive impacts in the classroom. Student success is often the result of a dynamic teacher who inspires pupils to work harder to pursue a rewarding future. Awardees have championed students in multiple Explore the New Manufacturing events and in Career Technical Education endeavors.

Slatcoff’s award is part of Explore’s Emerging Elite in Manufacturing and Outstanding Industry Educator awards. Launched in 2020, the awards celebrate the skills and dedication of students and educators across West Virginia.  Profiles of all award recipients will be available on the Explore the New Manufacturing website after they have been announced. https://www.exploremfgwv.com/awards

Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the  Nothern Region Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Award was presented to Wheeling Park High School for their project with East Coast Metal Systems. The company challenged the students to develop a cost-efficient method of recycling 16-foot wooden pallets which are used to ship metal sheets.

“We could tell a lot of thought and research went into the solution they ended up with,” stated Kyle Sowinski, Senior Project Manager for East Coast Metal Systems. “The team described the process as starting with many different solutions but then filtered it down to one that they believed would work best for our specific situation.“

Explore the New Manufacturing made a surprise award presentation to Cheryll Roberts at the organization’s Kanawha Valley Region Award Ceremony. Roberts was presented with a 2024 Outstanding Industry Educator Award in the high school category. The award celebrates skilled and dedicated educators working to increase the understanding of manufacturing careers available in West Virginia. Roberts, a Project Lead the Way Engineering instructor, teaches at Putnam Career and Technical Center. She will receive a $500 award designated for classroom enhancement, in addition to a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia.