Voting begins today in the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing Southern Alleghenies” video contest that includes nine teams of students from Blair, Bedford and Fulton counties.

To view the videos and vote for your favorite, visit the Southern Alleghenies website at sa-cool.com.

Once the votes are tallied, a variety of awards will be presented during a ceremony April 18 at the Pitt Theatre in downtown Bedford.

The video contest pairs student teams with local manufacturers to showcase the manufacturing sector. This year, the contest was expanded to not only include Bedford County students, but those from Blair and Fulton counties as well.

The teams include: Bedford Area Middle School, which has been paired up with Kennametal, Bedford; Chestnut Ridge High School, Creative Composites Group, Alum Bank; Claysburg-Kimmel High School, Corle Building Systems, Imler; Everett Area Middle School, BC Stone, Everett; Forbes Road High School, JLG Industries, McConnellsburg; Hope for Hyndman Charter School, Bedford Technical Products, Manns Choice; Northern Bedford County Middle School, MLD Manufacturing, Bedford; Southern Fulton County Jr./Sr. High School, Mellott Co., Warfordsburg; and Tussey Mountain Middle School with Mayville Engineering Co., Bedford.

“We’re excited to be part of this year’s contest. In addition to growing awareness about opportunities in manufacturing, we can engage with local students and strengthen our connection to the community,” said Corle Building Systems’ Controller Kevin Ziance. “We hope that by being part of What’s So Cool About Manufacturing we will encourage more people to explore manufacturing careers.”

Mike O’Dellick, administrative director of the Bedford County Technical Center, said the video contest is “an engaging way to introduce local career opportunities to middle school students.”

In addition, the student-led video production process also fosters student teamwork and leadership skills, he said.

“In particular, students learn about the manufacturing careers available locally that offer excellent pay, benefits and advancement opportunities,” O’Dellick said.

Bette Slayton, president/CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, said after last year’s successful contest, local manufacturers reached out to get involved again this year.

“It’s exciting to see this program continue to thrive as the contest expands into two neighboring counties this year, exposing more students to careers in manufacturing,” Slayton said.

Students involved in the contest combine learning about technology and local career opportunities with researching, planning and executing a plan on deadline while building teamwork and leadership skills, said Lyn Skillington, a project director of the Bedford County 21st Century Community Learning Centers

“The contest brings positive recognition to the student teams, their schools and the manufacturers,” Skillington said.

Winners of last year’s contest — which included six schools and manufacturers — included Bedford Middle School, earning the Best Video award for its video featuring Rockland Manufacturing. Everett Area Middle School took home the prize for the most votes for its video featuring Lampire Biological Laboratories. More than 200,000 votes were cast during the contest’s three-day voting period last year, which is open to the public.

To learn more about the statewide contest, go to www.whatssocool.org.