Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce state winners of the 2022-2023 Explore Student Video Contest. The top teams from four regional contests competed for top honors to see who produced the best 3-minute video about their manufacturing partner, their employees, and cool aspects of their company.
The top prize, WEST VIRGINIA BEST MANUFACTURING MESSAGE AWARD, was presented to Huntington Middle School for their video about Alcon Research Ltd. The video showcases how Alcon Research helps people see brilliantly so they can live brilliantly.
The Huntington Middle School team: Rheya Bostic, Henry Davis, Bayleigh Creasy, Marshall Fox, Audra Gerlach, Conner Ison, Ya’Riah Petties, Nate Riegel, and Amelia Rollyson.
Alcon Research support team included Erin Adkins (NA East HR Site Head), Pam Alcala (Training Supervisor), Ed Bailey (Manufacturing Supervisor), Donna Bailey (Production Technician), Jodi Chandler (Production Technician), Andy Baker (Training Specialist), Tiffany Daniels (Facilities Support Specialist), Cory Dill (Manufacturing Sr. Manager), Glade Keener (Manufacturing and OpEx Manager), Madison Parsons (Manufacturing Trainer), Ron Piaskowski (Sr. Principal Tech Steward), Brandon Shaw (Production Technician), Nate Simpkins (Manufacturing Supervisor), Brandon Vance (Quality Specialist), and Sunshine Walls (Scheduler).
Second place and recipient of the MANUFACTURER’S CHOICE AWARD was presented to Moundsville Middle School for their video about the Paul Wissmach Glass Company, located in Paden City, West Virginia.
The Moundsville Middle School team: Owen Berisford, David Durig III, Adam Evans, Lillie Goddard, Hailey Hill, Lexi Landis, Irelyn Lowe, Elin McGuire, Fiona Ren, Brayden Slaughter, Lorelei Williams, Sadi Willis, and Kaelyn Wyatt.
The Paul Wissmach support team includes Jeremiah Farrell, Dan Lynch, and Jason Wilburn.
"Across the state, the student video teams have excelled this year," said Program Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing Program on behalf of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund's efforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas. "The competition among the twenty teams was fierce. The videos were superb, and the team energized their fans to set multiple new recorders in the Viewer's Choice Contest. It's been a fantastic year thanks to the support of our manufacturing partners and faculty advisors."
EASTER REGION TEAMS:
- Charles Town Middle School with Logoplaste
- Martinsburg South Middle School with Argos USA
KANAWHA VALLEY REGION TEAMS:
- Blennerhassett Middle School with Kreinik Manufacturing Company
- Calhoun County Middle School with Armacell LLC
- Dunbar Middle School with Service Wire Company
- Huntington Middle School with Alcon Research Ltd
- Hurricane Middle School with Cyclops Industries, Inc.
- Midland Trail Middle School with NGK Spark Plugs USA, Inc
- Ripley Middle School with Blenko Glass Company, Inc
- South Charleston Middle School with JQ Dickinson Salt-Works
NORTH REGION TEAMS:
- Jackson Middle School with Simonton Windows
- Lincoln Middle School with FCX Systems, Inc.
- South Middle School-Morgantown, WV with Pioneer Conveyor
- Taylor County Middle School with Dyna-Mix
NORTHERN REGION TEAMS:
- Bridge Street Middle School partnered with Silgan Plastics Corporation
- Brooke Middle School partnered with Pietro Fiorentini USA
- Moundsville Middle School partnered with Paul Wissmach Glass
- Oak Glen Middle School partnered with Fiesta Tableware Company
- Sherrard Middle School partnered with Edgington Studios
- Weirton Madonna Jr. High partnered with Tecnocap, LLC
All contest videos can be viewed by visiting: https://www.exploremfgwv.com/students/student-video-contest
The Explore Student Video Contest provides a first-hand glimpse into modern manufacturing for sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students. Each participating school is provided with a video camera and kit by Explore the New Manufacturing. The program is funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, as well as company and individual contributions.
