The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) has announced that online voting is now open for the 10th anniversary of the Berks Schuylkill What’s So Cool About Manufacturing Student Video Contest.
Voting began Wednesday, March 25 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain open through Friday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m. The public, along with contest participants, can cast votes at www.whatssocool.org. Voters are permitted to vote for multiple videos and may vote as often as they wish during the voting period.
The annual contest features student teams from 33 middle schools across the Berks and Schuylkill region. Teams partner with local manufacturers to produce short videos highlighting modern manufacturing careers and opportunities in the region. The video receiving the most public votes will earn the coveted “Viewers Choice Award.”
In addition to public voting, a panel of judges will evaluate the entries across 11 categories, including Best CTE Story, Outstanding Editing, and Outstanding Creativity.
Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading.
“We are excited to celebrate the growth of our Berks Schuylkill contest at our annual awards event,” said Rich Hobbs, President and CEO of MRC. “While we anticipate another record-breaking voting response, what we love seeing most is the hard work and collaboration between the students, teachers, and manufacturers, as well as the impact of sharing their message about manufacturing opportunities right here in our region.”
Organizers say the contest’s continued success is driven by strong collaboration between schools, local manufacturers, and community partners. Supporting organizations include the Berks Business Education Coalition, eMediaWorks, Kutztown Small Business Development Center, Sahl Communications, Inc., and numerous local sponsors.
The following Schuylkill County Schools are paired with these companies for this year's competition
- D.H.H. Lengel - Mrs. T's Pierogies
- Minersville Area - Masser Family of Companies
- Blue Mountain - Hydro
- Schuylkill Haven - Solar Innovations, LLC
- Shenandoah Valley - Hexcel Corporation
- Mahanoy Area - Ashland Technologies
- North Schuylkill - EMD Electronics
- Tamaqua Area - Northeast Prestressed Products, LLC
- Pine Grove Area - Blaschak Anthracite
- Tri-Valley - MI Windows and Doors
- Williams Valley - Big B Manufacturing Inc.
Funding for educational media resources, technology, professional training, and project costs was provided through a wide range of sponsors, including:
- Technology Sponsor: Niagara Bottling
- Event Sponsor: Reading Truck
- Platinum Sponsors: American Crane & Equipment Corporation, Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Berks County Workforce Development Board, Customers Bank, East Penn Manufacturing, and Univest Financial
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsors: Dozens of regional employers, educational institutions, and organizations, including several based in Schuylkill County such as Blaschak Anthracite, Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Schuylkill County, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, and Schuylkill Technology Center
Media sponsors for the event include BCTV, Lamar Advertising, Lehigh Valley Business Journal, Reading Eagle, and WFMZ 69 News.
Residents are encouraged to support local students by viewing and voting for their favorite videos before the March 27 deadline.