Winning Innovations Emerge at Minnesota State College Southeast

WINONA, MN – Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – The hum of innovation filled the halls of Minnesota State College Southeast this past weekend as young minds tackled a vital challenge: "Safety in Manufacturing." Sponsored by Fastenal, the Make48 event saw seven enthusiastic high school teams dive headfirst into the complexities of enhancing safety within the manufacturing landscape.

Empowered by the guidance of seasoned Tool Techs from across the nation and the welcoming atmosphere of Minnesota State College Southeast and faculty, the students embarked on an intense 48-hour journey of design thinking, rapid prototyping, and collaboration. Their efforts concluded in presentations evaluated by a discerning panel of judges: Brent Roeder and Haley Schadt from Fastenal, and Mark Zocher representing the Winona Creators Collective.

Celebrating the Champions of Innovation

The judges were faced with tough decisions, but ultimately, three teams stood out for their ingenuity and execution:

Taking the Top Prize and Heading to Nationals: We Fail Fast Too (Saint Thomas Academy) – Cory Bustamanta Chicaiza, Colin Shea, Leo Cleary, and Mark Westlake impressed with a solution that demonstrated exceptional creativity and a deep understanding of the challenge. Their victory comes with a $2,000 prize and a ticket to the prestigious Make48 National competition.

We Fail Fast Too (Saint Thomas Academy) – (left to right) Leo Cleary, Cory Bustamanta Chicaiza, Colin Shea and Mark Westlake

Securing Second Place and a Nationals Spot: Pirates of the Mississippi (Cochrane-Fountain City High School) – Joette Wolfe, Nathan Stoppelmoor, Steve Meyer, and John Peterson showcased remarkable innovation and a strong grasp of the critical need for enhanced manufacturing safety. Their impressive work also earns them a spot at Nationals.

Pirates of the Mississippi (Cochrane-Fountain City High School) – (left to right) Nathan Stoppelmoor, Joette Wolfe, Steve Meyer, and John Peterson

Honored for Outstanding Agilities (The Agilities in Action Award): DIY or DIE (Cotter High School) – Eric Geng, Leah Van Lin, Cooper Christopherson, and Eric Paulsen earned special recognition for their remarkable adaptability, seamless teamwork, and impressive ability to overcome obstacles.

DIY or DIE (Cotter High School) – (left to right) Ryan Sinning (RTP Company), Eric Paulsen, Leah Van Lin, Cooper Christopherson and Eric Geng

The victories of We Fail Fast Too and Pirates of the Mississippi mark an exciting milestone as they prepare to represent their high schools and the Winona event at the Make48 National competition this November. A brand-new challenge awaits them, promising to push their creativity and skills to new heights.

A Heartfelt Thank You

The success of this inspiring event is a testament to the dedication and support of many:

• To Minnesota State College Southeast: Thank you for providing a dynamic and inspiring venue for this competition, and to the dedicated academic staff and faculty who tirelessly supported the teams and tool techs throughout the intense 48 hours.

• To Fastenal: Your generous sponsorship and unwavering commitment to fostering safety and innovation were instrumental. As a long-term partner who dedicated many months to crafting this challenge, your involvement was absolutely vital to the success of Make48 at Minnesota State College Southeast. And a big thank you to the mentors, Josh Hansen and Matthew Fitting, who generously shared their expertise and guidance with the teams.

• To Our Valued Local Business Supporters: Miller Ingenuity, RTP Company, Watlow, Behrens, Schwab Construction/Biesanz Stone, Riverside Integrated Solutions, Celanese, Xcel Energy, Merchants Bank, Slaggie Family, and Visit Winona – your contributions were invaluable to the students' experience.

• To Our Dedicated Tool Techs, and Product Sponsors: Hailing from across the country, your expertise and passion, exemplified by partners like Makerbot/Ultimaker, Dynamism, ShopBot Tools, Epilog Laser, Fastenal, and Lincoln Electric, fueled the intense 48 hours with energy and groundbreaking ideas.

• And a Big Thank You to All the Competing Teams: Your enthusiasm, willingness to embrace this new challenge, and innovative spirit were truly inspiring. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the team captains and the dedicated individuals – parents, mentors, and others – who provided invaluable support every step of the way. 

Don't Miss the Full Story!

Next week, look out for a detailed recap of the challenge and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights. Plus, get ready to watch our sizzle reel showcasing the incredible teams and the electrifying energy of Make48 at Minnesota State College Southeast!