The Explore the New Manufacturing program announced today that Allison Turner has been recognized with an Emerging Elite in Manufacturing award.  A junior, Allison attends Montcalm High School and Mercer County Technical Education Center where she concentrates her studies on robotics and Project Lead the Way pre-engineering courses. Allison 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. 

The Explore the New Manufacturing program announced today that Barry Jones has been recognized with an Outstanding Industry Educator award. Jones, a Project Lead the Way engineering and robotics instructor, is employed at the Mercer County Technical Education Center (MCTEC). He will receive a $500 award designated for classroom enhancement. He will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia. 

Mr. Jones works tirelessly with his students to ensure that they are given opportunities to experience real-world scenarios involving STEM and manufacturing careers,” commented Danielle Farmer, Student Affairs/ACE Coordinator at MCTEC. “He engages students with guest speakers and field trips to STEM/manufacturing career pathways.”

The Explore the New Manufacturing program announced today that Daniel Bonnett has been recognized with an Outstanding Industry Educator award.  Bonnett, a mathematics and physics instructor, is employed at Riverside High School. He will receive a $500 award designated for classroom enhancement. He will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia.  

“Math in this community can be very intimidating,” stated Tonya Harper. “Mr. Bonnett is single-handedly changing that. He creates a fun, relaxed, hands-on learning environment where students are thriving and excelling.” 

The Explore the New Manufacturing Program announced today that Eric Younkins has been recognized with an Outstanding Industry Educator award. Younkins, a welding instructor, is employed at the United Technical Center. He will receive a $500 award designated for classroom enhancement. He will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia. 

“Eric Younkins has consistently supplied his students with learning opportunities that are always current with industry standards,” noted Ray Frazier, assistant director at the United Technical Center. “Younkins was instrumental in obtaining American Welding Society Certification for his shop, the first in the state. Consequently, his students are always prepared to meet the demands of the current standards of the welding industry.”

The Explore the New Manufacturing program announced today that James Overbaugh has been recognized with an Outstanding Industry Educator award.  Overbaugh, a robotics and manufacturing instructor, is employed at the Ben Franklin Career Center (BFCC). He will receive a $500 award designated for classroom enhancement. He will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia. 

“With 20 years of manufacturing experience under his belt, Mr. Overbaugh has shown complete dedication to the students in his Robotics program,” noted Jennifer Reynolds, BFCC.  “He is always working toward getting the newest equipment and instruction for his students, pushes them to be better versions of themselves, and makes them believe that there is nothing they can't achieve.”