SGIA Supports Next Generation of Printers at SkillsUSA Competition

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2017
Contact: Kate Achelpohl, SGIA
703.359.1364
kate@sgia.org 

Fairfax, Virginia — Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) members and staff welcomed 40 secondary and post-secondary students to the graphic imaging–sublimation and screen printing competitions at last week’s 2017 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). Students represented 35 schools from around the US.

SGIA has been involved with the SkillsUSA competition since 2012. In addition to setting up and judging the competition, SGIA members provided over $74,000 in prizes for the student winners and their schools.

“SGIA supports SkillsUSA because these students are the future of our industry,” said Johnny Shell, Vice President, Technical Services, SGIA. “We’re grateful to the members who back this effort as judges and prize donors.”

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Its annual competition typically attracts more than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students –– all state contest winners –– to 100 distinct, hands-on trade, technical and leadership competitions.

“The 2017 version of the Skills USA Graphics Imaging–Sublimation competition featured some amazing young men and women. I was so impressed with how equipped they were to design and implement saleable sublimation products,” said judge Aaron Montgomery, Co-host, 2 Regular Guys Podcast.

Results — Graphic Imaging–Sublimation

Secondary Students

• First: Jacob Barber, Harris County High School, Hamilton, Georgia 
• Second: Kalani Ferguson, Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, Missouri 
• Third: Mattie Egly, Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Post-Secondary 

• First: Megan Moore, Riverside Community College, Riverside, California
• Second: Katelyn Logsdon, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois

Results — Screen Printing

Secondary Students

• First: Jaxton Winder, Hurricane High School, Hurricane, Utah
• Second: Katie Meyer, Slinger High School, Slinger, Wisconsin
• Third: Kimberly Patino, North Garland High School, Garland, Texas 

Post-Secondary Students

• First: Morgan Hofheins, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Second: Jessica Cupples, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
• Third: Sierra Kelso, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, North Carolina 

Judges — Graphic Imaging–Sublimation:

• Jimmy Lamb, Sawgrass Inc
• Aaron Montgomery, 2 Regular Guys Podcast
• Nick Buettner, Arjo Wiggins
• Chad Hughes, Universal Wood/Unisub
• Mike McGowan and Ray Weiss, SGIA 

Judges — Screen Printing

• Pierre Jamnicky, Blue Moon Promotional Inc.
• Lon Winters, GraphicElephants.com
• James Ortolani, PolyOne/Wilflex
• Brett Bowden, Printed Threads
• Alan How, Saati Inc.
• Betty Bassett, volunteer 

Prize Donors

• Black Body/BBC Industries
• Condé
• Easiway
• GraphicElephants.com
• Great Dane Graphics
• Hix Corporation
• International Coatings
• M&R Companies
• PolyOne
• Riley Hopkins
• Ryonet
• Sawgrass
• STAHLS'
• Stretch Devices
• TMI Screen Printing
• Unisub
• Vastex
• ViTiny

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
Having its origins in the screen printing industry, SGIA embraced the digital revolution early on and is now 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.”