Chestnut Ridge High School won the Viewers Choice Vote. Pictured: Back row – Lewis Locke, marketing coordinator, Creative Composites Group; CRHS student Bo Lingenfelter. Front row-Integra Griffith, CRHS student coach; CRHS students Roxanna Kelley, Piper Kelley, Kyra Brown, Elizebeth George, Keynna Nicodemus; Nikki Gephart, CRHS After 3 program coordinator. Absent – Keith Fleegle, video coach; Gage Fadrow, student.

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Tussey Mountain student Madilynn Young said the team’s win felt “amazing.” Her teammate Jacob Glover said, “It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime  moment.”

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Integra Griffith participated as a Chestnut Ridge team member last year and, this year, served as the team’s student coach, so their Viewers Choice win was especially meaningful for her. “It was so exciting to be here to see our team’s work pay off.”

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“This program opens the students’ eyes to the possibilities available in manufacturing in high-wage, local careers,” said Dr. Jerry Shoemake, superintendent at Tussey Mountain School District. “It also helps them realize the value of technical education.”

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Votes for all nine videos combined in this year’s Viewers Choice contest totaled 296,896, exceeding last year’s total votes by more than 90,000. For the contest, each student team was paired with a local manufacturer and charged with researching, scripting, recording, and editing a video about their partner company. In addition to learning teamwork, project management, and other important skills, the students got an inside look at the worthwhile career opportunities available in manufacturing across the region.

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Last year’s contest included six teams from Bedford County; based on its success, the contest expanded this year to include schools and manufacturers in Blair and Fulton Counties, in addition to Bedford County.

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“It’s exciting to see engagement in the program growing, not only in the number of participating schools and manufacturers but also from supporters in the community who vote for the Viewers Choice,” said Lyn Skillington, a project director of the Bedford County 21st Century Community Learning Centers. “The students work hard on their videos and it’s gratifying for them to know people are watching and voting for them.”

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“In a time when technology is rapidly advancing and industries are evolving, it’s crucial to highlight the significance of manufacturing. This sector drives economies, creates jobs, and shapes the future of our world. Yet, often overlooked, its intricacies and impact remain hidden in plain sight,” said Michael O’Dellick, Administrative Director of Bedford County Technical Center. “I’m extremely proud of the quality of the videos our students produced and of the learning experiences and growth each of the teams achieved through the video production process.  Namely, learning how to work together as a team to accomplish a time-sensitive goal.”

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Bedford County Development Association Vice President Jennifer Marsh thanked the manufacturers who participated. “Your time and commitment to helping grow the contest this year is making an impact on awareness about manufacturing careers in our region,” she said.

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2024 participating teams: