May 2, 2025

"What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" Video Contest

Announces 2025 Central Susquehanna Awards

CENTRAL PA - The Innovative Manufacturers' Center (IMC), Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Advance Central PA and The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the award recipients for the "What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" (WSCM) Central Susquehanna student video contest awards. The ceremony was held April 23rd at The Venue at Liberty Valley in Danville, PA.

The WSCM contest partners students from middle schools in Central PA with regional manufacturers. Each student team scripted, shot, edited and promoted a short video that documents their experience highlighting what is "cool" about manufacturing and manufacturing careers. Two videos in the region will be moving on to represent Central Susquehanna at the annual statewide competition being held in Harrisburg on May 14th at the Whitaker Center.

The video with the most votes, during three days of online voting in March, received the "Viewers' Choice Award." A panel of judges reviewed the videos for awards in three other categories including Outstanding Overall Program, Outstanding Team Spirit and Outstanding Brand Placement.

"We had a really great contest this year with students and their manufacturing partners working together to highlight what's so cool about manufacturing in Central PA. In our fifth year of this contest, we had a record number of votes for the Viewers' Choice award of over 104,000 votes," said Lauri Moon, Manager of Outreach & Special Projects with IMC and Co-manager of the Central Susquehanna contest. "The students, teachers and manufacturers put in so much hard work, and it definitely showed in their final videos."

"One of the goals of the program is to increase awareness of local manufacturing career opportunities. With the record breaking number of votes during the contest, I think we met our goal," said Erica Mulberger, Advance Central PA Executive Director.

This year's awards and their winners are:

1. Outstanding Overall Program: Mount Carmel Area Middle School & Dyco, Inc.
2. Viewers' Choice Award: Central Columbia Middle School & Strong Industries
3. Outstanding Team Spirit: Huntingdon Area Middle School & Gardners Candies, Inc.
4. Outstanding Brand Placement: Bloomsburg Area Middle School & GAF

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Congratulations Huntingdon Area Middle School and Gardners Candies, Inc!

This past Friday, we had the honor of attending the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Juniata College Gateway Center Project — a major milestone for our community and the future of healthcare in Huntingdon County!

This state-of-the-art, three-story facility will be the new home of Juniata’s nursing program, with:

One floor dedicated to hands-on learning and training

Two floors housing healthcare professionals ready to serve our local residents

At a time when the nation is facing a critical nursing shortage, this project brings real hope to our rural community — training the next generation of nurses and expanding access to essential care right here at home.

Huge congratulations to Juniata College on this transformative step toward a healthier tomorrow!

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we had the privilege of welcoming Danielle and Ian from Juniata College to our office for a much-needed clean-out project — and they crushed it!

Through Juniata’s proud participation in the MLK Day of Service, students like Danielle and Ian step up to give back and make a real impact in the community. Their energy, dedication, and positive spirit made the day not just productive, but truly inspiring.

To show our gratitude, we presented both Danielle and Ian with a Certificate of Appreciation this past Friday — a small token to recognize their big contributions. We’re incredibly thankful for their efforts and proud to support a tradition that honors Dr. King’s legacy through action and service.

Thank you, Danielle and Ian — and thank you, Juniata College, for fostering such phenomenal community leaders!

On Tuesday, we were honored to take part in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Huntingdon Area School District’s Solar Energy Project!

Solar panels are now up and running at Standing Stone Elementary and the Middle School, marking a major step toward a more sustainable future.

Next up: Southside Elementary, where installation is set to begin in the coming months.

See the solar in action: https://huntsd.org/hasd-solar/

We're thrilled to announce that Huntingdon County Night at the Altoona Curve will take place on Saturday, July 26th!

This year, we're proud to support The Salvation Army as the beneficiary of the event. Your participation will help make a lasting impact on our community, all while enjoying a night at the ballpark!

Business Owners - Looking for way to give back while rewarding your team? Consider a sponsor package! This is your chance to connect with your employees and their families and support a great cause at the same time!

Individual tickets are also available! It's going to be a night you don't want to miss!

Important Reminder: All sponsor packages and tickets MUST be purchased through our representative, Dylan Sim, to ensure The Salvation Army benefits from your support.

We can't wait to see you at the ballpark and make this night one to remember!

Interested in advertising in our enews?

Contact MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.

The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.

If you are hiring, please send position information to mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs.

Contact Us

MacKenzie Huntsman

President/ CEO

mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com

Lorena LaGroue

Program Director

lorena@huntingdonchamber.com

500 Allegheny Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814-643-1110

Fax: 814-643-1115

www.huntingdonchamber.com