Explore the New Manufacturing announced today that Alexandria “Lexi” Harper has been recognized with an Emerging Elite in Manufacturing Award.  A senior, Lexi attends Riverside High School, where she concentrates her studies on the environment and organizing and engaging in activities that can make a difference. Lexi 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.  

“Alexandria is a leader amongst her classmates. She exhibits this by being president of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, captain of the cheerleading team, and member at large of the National Beta Club. She leads not only officers and captains in these clubs but also helps out in the classroom when needed,” said Tara Veazey of Riverside High School.

Launched in 2020, the Emerging Elite in Manufacturing and Outstanding Industry Educator awards celebrate the skills and dedication of students and educators across West Virginia. “Alexandria’s passion for the environment has led her to discover how engineering can be used to provide innovative solutions,” said Explore the New Manufacturing’s executive director, Monica Cross. “The Explore team is happy to include Alexandria Harper in our 2024 class of Emerging Elite in Manufacturing awardees and wish her luck on her future career aspirations.”

The Emerging Elite in Manufacturing awards recognize West Virginia high school students who have excelled in manufacturing-related technical education and STEM courses.  Each awardee demonstrates workforce-ready technical and communication skills critical to successful employee performance. 

Lexi’s award is part of Explore’s Emerging Elite in Manufacturing and Outstanding Industry Educator awards. 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  Kanawha Valley Region Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Award was presented to Putnam Career & Technical Center for their project with Toyota West Virginia. The company challenged the students to develop a method for preventing a potential ergonomic issue in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) installment process of the Short-Block Sub-Assembly at Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV).  The PCTC team is comprised of Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering students.

Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the winners of the Explore Student Video Contest Kanawha Valley Region. Middle school teams were judged on the creation of 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 Guyan Valley Middle School for their video about Blenko Glass Company.  Guyan Valley’s winning video showcases Blenko Glass’ iconic water bottles and how they are made. 

Wheeling, West Virginia, March 4, 2024 – Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the winners of the Explore Student Video Contest northern region. Middle school teams were judged on the creation of 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 Moundsville Middle School for their video about Tecnocap, LLC. Moundsville's winning video showcases Tecnocap, LLC metal closures and how they help make food products safe.

The Explore the New Manufacturing made a surprise award presentation to Thomas Bane at the organization’s Northern Region Award Ceremony. Bane 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. Bane, a Project Lead the Way and Pre-Engineering instructor, teaches at Brooke High School. He 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.