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Valley High students showcase 'She Powers the Future' MPLX capstone
Summary
Three Valley High School students presented a 10-week MPLX Education Alliance capstone, 'She Powers the Future,' sharing interviews with women industry leaders, tours of MPLX facilities and a digital magazine highlighting career pathways, benefits and mentorship for women in oil and gas.
Valley High School students presented a 10-week MPLX Education Alliance capstone titled “She Powers the Future,” describing how the work-based project connected them with women leaders in the gas industry and produced a digital magazine spotlighting career pathways and workplace supports. Mrs. Shepherd introduced the presentation and said the program took ten weeks and required students to act as marketing consultants for MPLX.
The students said the experience included plant tours and weekly guest speakers. A student representative summarized the company’s employment offerings, noting “great pay, benefits, a high 401(k) matching, pension plans, phenomenal insurance including health, dental, vision,” and added that mentorship and hands-on experiences were valuable takeaways. The presentation highlighted that MPLX hired its first female CEO in 2024 (named in the record as Marilyn T. Manning) and that company policies such as pregnancy-compliant FR clothing and extended parental leave had been important to female employees’ sense of inclusion.
Presenters emphasized nondegree and hands-on pathways into oil and gas, including articulated training with WVU Northern Community College that can reduce college costs and open multiple entry points to skilled roles. Students said the program broadened their view of local career options and demonstrated roles beyond traditional field labor, including planning and scheduling positions.
School staff praised the students’ effort and said the MPLX community relations representative commended the three students who completed the program for their devotion and professional presentation. The district noted the capstone was shared with MPLX Education Alliance and school administration; no formal district action was required following the presentation.
The board did not take action on the presentation itself; the students’ work will remain part of the district’s work-based learning activities and resources available to other classes.
