Greater Johnstown High School students take second in statewide manufacturing video contest
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Greater Johnstown High School eighth-graders Nykos Kobal and Jordyn Powell said that although they thought they should have won this year’s “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” competition, taking second place in the state was still rewarding.
“Definitely a big accomplishment,” Kobal said.
Powell added that it “feels good to bring something good to Greater Johnstown High School.”
The students – Kobal, Powell, Zayla Thomas, Ava Hoffman, Kayona Jeffers, Eli Felosky and Aiden Albright – worked with JWF Industries this year to create a video about the armored vehicles the company makes in Johnstown.
They conducted interviews and cut the video together with special effects and other impressive features under the advisement of ninth-graders Addison Synan and Aubreyonna Nash and teachers Eddie Mikesic, Darren Buchko, Christian Wrabley and LesPaul Buchko.
The group took first in the best overall video category of the Pittsburgh East division, was named the best of Pennsylvania nominee, and honored for the most creative and exceptional use of technology.
Those achievements earned them a bid to the state competition against 22 other schools in Harrisburg for the second year in a row. Last year they attended, but did not place.
Mikesic said it was impressive to see the accomplishments of the students, especially because they had no prior training with video editing and don’t have a class dedicated to that field.
Instead, the group dedicated time between classes and after school to working on the contest that’s hosted by Catalyst Connection and aimed at enticing students to explore manufacturing careers.
“Just a sense of pride and accomplishment to see them win,” Mikesic said. “To see the work ethic of an eighth-grader was phenomenal.”
He was also impressed with how much the students learned about manufacturing throughout the process.
“I learned a lot about manufacturing and that it’s more than just putting a bunch of stuff together,” Powell said.
First place went to Broughal Middle School in Northampton County.
“Congratulations to the winners, and every student team that submitted a video this year,” state Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger said in a release. “The Shapiro administration is proud of these efforts to show what’s so cool about manufacturing in Pennsylvania. The talent and creativity our young people have displayed in creating these videos is amazing, and it makes me very confident about the future of Pennsylvania manufacturing.”
Overall, Powell said the experience was interesting, especially watching the other entries, and Kobal said it was enjoyable to get a tour of the state Capitol.
They both agreed the contest was something they’d never forget.
“This whole experience is good for the school, the community – everybody,” Mikesic said.
