A&W West End Grill on February 23, 2026, members of the Coudersport Jr. High WSCAM (What’s So Cool About Manufacturing) Team shared details about their latest project: a student-created video entered in the statewide contest, What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?

Team members Isaac Gledhill, Makenzie Northeimer, Norah Wetzel, and Gavin Widmeier, all Coudersport eighth graders, are competing against students from schools across Pennsylvania. Last year, the team highlighted Mountain Woodworks. This year, they focused on Phoenix Sintered Metals in Galeton.

The students visited the facility, conducted an interview, and participated in a guided tour where three employees explained how powdered metal is pressed and formed into durable automotive parts. The students were impressed by how an extremely fine powder becomes strong metal that is difficult to break. Norah Wetzel was particularly fascinated by the components that go into manufacturing a steering wheel.

Rebecca Keagle, Coudersport Area School District Career Mentor, shared a brief trailer of the project during the meeting, featuring Norah and a steering wheel, and explained that the WSCAM project aligns with Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for Career Readiness.

Team member Gavin Widmeier is leading publicity efforts for the project. He will distribute flyers to local businesses, speak at school about the contest, and reach out to local newspapers to encourage community support.

The public can view and vote for the students’ video at www.whatssocool.org/contests from March 17–19. Voting is open to everyone, and votes may be cast multiple times. The winning team will receive a plaque, and videos from many other schools will also be featured during the contest period.

The Coudersport Jr. High WSCAM Team hopes their video will highlight the innovation and opportunity found in modern manufacturing and inspire others to learn more about careers in the field.

Mrs. Laura Bryant, Media Specialist at Coudersport Jr. High School and the teacher responsible for WSCAM, was unable to attend the students’ presentation to the Coudersport Rotary Club. Mrs. Bryant oversees the school’s Mock Trial program, and due to a last-minute scheduling change, the Mock Trial competition was rescheduled for the same time at the Potter County Courthouse. To ensure the students were supported, she arranged for Mrs. Becky Keagle, Career Specialist and WSCAM assistant, to accompany the group to the Rotary meeting.