May 17, 2025
(Photo Provided) Masonic Lodge 390 and the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition has awarded $500 scholarships to Jaden Martin, Kylee Lewis and Claire Mangiafico. From left: Linn Yost, coalition board president; Mangiafico; James Rhodes, past master; Martin; Lewis; and Deron Alkire, master of the lodge.
MARIETTA — Masonic Lodge 390 in collaboration with the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition has expanded its commitment to workforce development by awarding $500 scholarships to three local students.
Receiving the awards were Jaden Martin, Kylee Lewis and Claire Mangiafico.
The first scholarship through the partnership was awarded three years ago. The partnership underscores a shared mission to foster the next generation of skilled workers in Appalachian Ohio with recipients bringing their story of resilience, dedication and community-minded ambition to the region’s growing manufacturing and technical workforce.
Mangiafico, a senior at Marietta High School, is going to Ohio University this fall to pursue a degree in Engineering Technology and Management. She participated in the coalition-funded internship program through Building Bridges to Careers where she worked at Micro Machine Works.
BB2C provided Mangiafico with the professional tools and confidence needed for a hands-on environment, skills needed for her summer internship with the coalition.
“I’m excited to keep adding to my book of skills and take the next step toward a career in technical leadership,” she said.
Martin, a manufacturing technician at the Manufacturers Coalition, is a former football and baseball player and brings the same drive and work ethic to his profession.
“I love helping people and being part of a team that works toward a common goal,” Jaden said. “Mentoring others is a big part of what makes this work fulfilling for me.”
Lewis also is a coalition team member known for resilience and dedication. Raised in a single-parent household, Lewis learned the value of independence and determination and had a recent battle with stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“Going through that made me even more committed to problem-solving and making a difference,” Lewis said.
The students embody the spirit of Appalachian Ohio who are hardworking, passionate and forward-thinking,” Linn Yost, president of the coalition board, said.
“Through partnerships like the one we have with Masonic Lodge #390 and organizations like BB2C, we’re building a strong foundation for the region’s future workforce,” Yost said.
For more information about programs and partnerships, go to aomanufacturers.org.
The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers ‘Coalition is a manufacturer-led coalition in collaboration with education, social services and community leaders focused on aligning the learning system with the needs of the manufacturing community to support economic growth and a high quality of life in Southeast Ohio.
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