2018 Phoenix Challenge Competition Winners Announced
Cal-Poly was named the overall winner of the College Phoenix Challenge pictured above from left to right: Alan Nguyen, Yasmeen Eid, Jillian Keplinger, Michaela Purcilly, Pavan Sohal, Hana Zarea, Hope Mosely with faculty Malcom Keif and Dina Vees.
For 21 years, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation has been a premier organization supporting flexography and graphic arts in education and "building the workforce of tomorrow." This year’s competitions for both High School and College programs showcased more young talent, more creativity and determination than ever. The Foundation is proud to create this avenue for them to gain exposure in and to foster careers throughout the dynamic, ever-changing flexo industry.
This year’s two premier competitions, the PCF College Competition and PCF High School Skills Competition took place in March and April. All the student competitors arrived with the determination to win and prove their salt in flexo.
PCF College Competition
The 11th PC College Competition concluded with eight schools traveling to St. Louis, Mo., where they enjoyed tours of Rotometrics and Mark Andy Inc. before demonstrating their talents during the live presentations detailing their ‘real life’ small business client projects which require flexo printed materials to support a set of specific objectives. After several months of client interaction, defining objectives and designing and delivering printing flexo materials, teams amazed judges with their capability, collaboration and final printed results. The 2018 Winner’s in the top categories are:
- Overall Competition – Cal-Poly
- Research – University of Wisconsin - Stout
- Execution – Clemson University
- Concept – Waukesha County Technical College
- Graphics – Waukesha County Technical College
Congratulations to all the teams, students and faculty, for another year of outstanding talent and commitment. Many of the students are seniors, graduating this year. Industry companies are poised to find great talent in these recent graduates.
PCF High School Skills Competition
The 2018 PCF High School Skills competition was held in Charlotte, N.C., for the 21st time. Thirty-six students from across North America came together in two-person teams where they demonstrated their new flexo skills through a live, hands-on multi-faceted program covering flexo math, ink mixing/testing, pre-press, plate mounting, printing, die cutting and more.
Gold Medal Winners – Asheville High School’s Grayson Hackett and Travis Brown with Bettylyn Krafft, Chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.
All of the teams showcased their courage and desire to prove their skillsets over the two-day event which also included a tour of Genpak. After the judging of hands-on skills, the tests were scored and the top three teams placed as follows:
- 1st Asheville High School – Grayson Hackett and Travis Brown
- 2nd Asheville High School – Alex Abrams and Dorian Harmon
- 3rd Knox High School – Michael Poindexter and Kameron Howard
All of the winners are a success. Their commitment and desire to participate in these educational opportunities will only help the flexo industry attract, build and sustain our next generation of employees.
“The Phoenix Challenge Foundation has, for a long time now, been crucial to bringing viable students seeking careers to our industry. We are so proud to see these students grow into true professionals across our world of flexography, in many capacities from operators to sales professionals to young executives. I have personally witnessed many students move into being our co-workers. The Phoenix Challenge is delivering and that is something to celebrate,” said Bettylyn Krafft, Chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.
Source: Phoenix Challenge Foundation.
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