Young Guns Class of 2026
Turning Potential into Purpose
Toyota’ s 4T program gives high school juniors and seniors from Kanawha, Mason and Putnam county schools hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing. Students earn paid internships, work with industry mentors and often graduate with full-time job offers.
This program is about more than manufacturing.
“ My mentor, Shawn, didn’ t just teach me how the plant works, he helped me believe in myself,” Anthony says.
In 2025, 30 students graduated from 4T into full-time roles. Toyota is showing how opportunity and development can transform uncertain students into confident contributors.
Building a Workforce with Heart
Modeled after 4T, WVU Medicine’ s MedEd program offers students in Jefferson and Monongalia counties firsthand exposure to health care careers ranging from radiology to phlebotomy. Students rotate through hospital departments and are matched with one for their senior year, where they serve in paid internships.
More than technical skills, students witness care, courage and the power of human connection. Since launching, MedEd enrollment in Monongalia County has grown by 70 % and will expand to Berkeley County this fall. These students are entering health care with more than knowledge— they’ re bringing compassion.
Engineering with Impact
In Kanawha County, Appalachian Power( AEP) teamed up with Nitro High School to improve lineman safety gear. After learning about safety in her AEP summer internship, one student in an engineering class at Nitro High School spearheaded a class project to turn that observation into a prototype, and their team became national finalists in the MIT InvenTeam competition.
With guidance from AEP professionals and a caring teacher, students solved a real-world problem and gained invaluable skills in teamwork, accountability and innovation. This kind of learning expands the four walls of the classroom and helps prepare great citizens.
Creativity for the Community
In Wetzel County, EQT Foundation sponsors an annual Innovation Showcase where students pitch solutions to local problems in a Shark Tankstyle competition. In 2025, middle schoolers participated for the first time. One team created the Homework Buddy app, offering real-time tutoring, coded by students, to support students who may feel uncomfortable asking for help.
By asking young people to improve their own communities, EQT fosters initiative, empathy and leadership. This isn’ t just great STEM learning, it’ s community building.
Lighting the Path Forward
For the past three years, Hope Gas has partnered with the Education Alliance to offer four-week, paid
Congratulations, Sarah Rogers!
Young Guns Class of 2026
Research with Purpose. Results with Impact.
Recognized for building trust, delivering results, and making a difference locally and beyond.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE