High Schoolers Battle it out for Packaging Supremacy

CHARLOTTE, NC—January 27, 2015—For the 18th year, graphic arts students and teachers from throughout the United States and Canada will participate in the Phoenix Challenge Foundation’s 2015 High School Competition. Held March 18-20 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, the event comprises a two and half-day skills-based competition with hands-on and comprehensive testing in printing mathematics, flexo press operation, prepress, plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge.

A panel of industry professionals and educators will score a variety of skills sessions and live action prepress and on-press activities, then rank teams to determine final winners of the competition. Winning teams are rewarded with top honors and individual scholarships at the close of the competition, all funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

The foundation exists solely through generous donations made by industry supporters and businesses. As the foundation grows, so does the need for incremental funding to continue building the workforce of tomorrow. “I am excited to see the Phoenix Challenge High School competition continue to grow, said Bettylyn Krafft, chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. "Its popularity demonstrates that the flexographic industry is a great place to build a career.”

Some of the 2015 event sponsors include: Harper Corporation of America, Anderson & Vreeland, Esko, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, Phototype, Bobst, Sun Chemical, Max Daetwyler, Robbie Fantastic Flexibles, The ALC Group, W & H, Pamarco, Plastic Packaging, JR Cole Industries, Overnight Labels, PCMC, All Printing Resources, Uteco, ACTEGA-WIT, Flexo Concepts, ID Images, Flint Group, Flexon, Siegwerk Ink and CPCC. All participating sponsors receive access to a variety of options that deliver valuable marketing and awareness for their companies.