SGIA Supports the Industry's Future at the 2018 SkillsUSA Competition

For Immediate Release July 9, 2018 Contact: Kate Achelpohl, SGIA 703.359.1364 kate@sgia.org Fairfax, Virginia — For the seventh year, members of the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) supported the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) by coordinating, judging and providing $96,000 in prizes and stipends for the Graphics Imaging–Sublimation and Screen Printing Technology competitions. Over 40 secondary and post-secondary students competed in the two competitions, which were among the more than 100 competitions at NLSC.   The Graphic Imaging–Sublimation and Screen Printing Technology competitions each consisted of eight testing stations, judged and vetted by members and staff to align with standard program curriculums.   “SGIA is proud to be involved at the level it is with this effort in cultivating the future workforce,” said Johnny Shell, Vice President, Print Technology & Training, SGIA, who is in his fourth year as an NLSC chairman. “It’s an important role for the association to play as a conduit to not only bring in the industry for judging and materials, but bringing industry, teachers and students together.”  SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. NLSC participants are all state winners representing today’s outstanding career and technical education students. The more than 100 competitions are designed to test participants in distinct, hands-on, technical trades, including masonry, aircraft maintenance, automobile repair, public speaking, cosmetology and more. SGIA has been involved with the competition since 2012.  "It was truly a great experience to judge so many high-level students looking to join the workforce in America,” said judge Syd Northup, Inkjet Division Manager, Gans Ink and Supply. “My faith in the future was completely restored by all these young adults."  SGIA congratulates the 2018 NLSC Graphic Imaging–Sublimation and Screen Printing Technology winners and thanks all industry volunteers and donors. For more information or to contribute to next year’s event, visit sgia.org or contact Erin Nuss.  Results — Graphics Imaging–Sublimation  Secondary Students 

• First: Mattie Egly, Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
• Second: Colby Henson, Sikeston Career & Technology Center, Sikeston, Missouri
• Third: Mardeliz Flores, Orange Technical College – Mid-Florida Campus, Orlando, Florida 

Post-Secondary Students 

• First: Sandra Castaneda, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Second: Samantha Killen, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
• Third: Christopher Waldun, Augusta Technical College, Augusta, Georgia 

Results — Screen Printing Technology  Secondary Students

• First: Makayla Buscher, Nichols Career Center, Jefferson City, Missouri
• Second: Keiller Middlebrook, Grover Cleveland High School, Reseda, California
• Third: Gabe Waldrup, S & W Washtenaw Consortium, Saline, Michigan

Post-Secondary Students

• First: Kyler Kelsch, Dixie State University, Saint George, Utah
• Second: James Sullivan, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
• Third: Cynthia Lainez, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, North Carolina

Judges — Graphics Imaging–Sublimation 

• Henry Coeme, HIX Corporation
• David Gross, Conde Systems Inc.
• Aaron Montgomery, Pic the Gift
• Syd Northup, Gans Ink & Supply
• Erin Nuss, SGIA
• Ray Weiss, SGIA

Judges — Screen Printing Technology 

• Betty Bassett, Classic Designs Screen Printing
• Brett Bowden, Printed Threads
• Alan Howe, Saati Americas Corp.
• Pierre Jamnicky, Blue Moon Promotional Inc.
• Matthew Marcotte, T&J Printing Supply
• Donnie Mullens, Fruit of the Loom Inc.
• James Ortolani, PolyOne Corporation
• Lon Winters, Print This/GraphicElephants.com 

Donors 

• Aaron Montgomery of 2 Regular Guys Podcast
• Adobe
• Atkinson Consulting
• BBC Industries Inc.
• Beaver Paper & Graphic Media Inc.
• Conde Systems Inc.
• Easiway Systems Inc.
• Epson America Inc.
• Fruit of the Loom Inc.
• N. Glantz & Son
• GraphicElephants.com
• Great Dane Graphics
• HIX Corporation
• Newman Roller Frames mfg. by Stretch Devices
• PolyOne Corporation
• Ryonet
• Saati Americas Corp.
• Shur-Loc Fabric System
• The M&R Companies
• Wasatch Computer Technologies 

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community  Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is the trade association of choice for professionals in the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, electronics, packaging and commercial printing communities looking to grow their business into new market segments through the incorporation of the latest printing technologies. SGIA membership comprises these diverse segments, all of which are moving rapidly towards digital adoption. As long-time champions of digital technologies and techniques, SGIA is the community of peers you are looking for to help navigate the challenges of this process. Additionally, the SGIA Expo is the largest trade show for print technology in North America. “Whatever the medium, whatever the message, print is indispensable. Join the community — SGIA."