Student Imagers Compete for National Title at SkillsUSA Championship

Written June 30, 2016

Categories: AD News, Digital, Digital Printing, FP News, GP News, Industrial Applications & Printed Electronics, Installation PDAA, IPDAA News, Press Release, Screen Making, Screen Printing Technology

For Immediate Release
June 30, 2016
Contact: Renee Simpson, SGIA
703.359.1310
renee@sgia.org

Fairfax, Virginia — SkillsUSA, a national organization serving educators and students as they prepare to enter technical occupations, recently hosted the 52nd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Not only were students able to show their talent to potential employers, but winners were honored with thousands of dollars in prizes — not to mention the hard-earned title of SkillsUSA National Champion.

“Because of their partnership, SGIA industry development initiatives dovetail nicely with the mission of the SkillsUSA organization in providing a skilled workforce. By investing resources in the Skills competitions, we are cultivating skilled workers for future workforce needs,” said Johnny Shell, SGIA’s Vice President of Technical Services. “Leading the Screen Printing Technology and Graphic Imaging — Sublimation competitions assures that competition standards align with the current industry.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to see these students trying to do this, and really caring. They had a drive that you normally don’t see in most people their age,” said Pierre Jamnicky of Blue Moon Promotional, Inc. and volunteer competition judge. “Just about any one of them would be at the top of the list when it was time to hire.”

Congratulations to the following student winners:

Screen Printing Technology — Secondary

1st Place: Kaitlyn Eichen, Capital Area Career Center (Springfield, Illinois)

2nd Place: Lauren Lahie, S&W Washtenaw Consortium (Saline, Michigan)

3rd Place: Jared Meineke, Austin High School (Austin, Minnesota)

Screen Printing Technology — Post-Secondary

1st Place: Tyler Philips, Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Illinois)

2nd Place: Morgan Hofheins, Salt Lake Community College (Salt Lake City, Utah)

3rd Place: Braylon Chatwood (Hot Springs, Arizona)

Graphic Imaging-Sublimation — Secondary

1st Place: Kalani Ferguson (Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, MO)

2nd Place: Brittany Blundell (Autry Technology Center, Enid, OK)

3rd Place: Mattie Egly (Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, TN)

Graphic Imaging-Sublimation — Post-Secondary

1st Place: Kelsey Fields, Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Illinois)

2nd Place: Edrene Montanez, Eagle Rock High School (Los Angeles)

3rd Place: Skylar Massey, Ozarks Technical Community College (Springfield, Missouri)

SGIA would also like to thank the following industry partners for their donations and support of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference: BBC Industries, Condé Systems, Easiway Systems, Fimor North America, Freehand Graphics, GraphicElephants.com, Great Dane Graphics, International Coatings, M&R Companies, NEWMAN ROLLER FRAMES mfg. by Stretch Devices Inc., Ryonet, Sawgrass, Squeegeeville, StahlsTV.com, ST Media Group, Vapor Apparel, and Vastex International Corporation.

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
“Specialty imaging” comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they’ll tap in the future. These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, printed electronics, membrane switches, signs, advertisements, garments, containers and vehicles. Make the most of your specialty imaging business.

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