(WESTERVILLE, Ohio) -- August 21, 2002 -- In its continuing effort to bring new, fresh and vibrant talent to the graphic communications industry, the Printing Industries Association, Inc. serving northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO) announced its scholarship foundation (Printing Industries Education Fund, or PIEF) will award $44,350 in scholarships to existing and potential graphic communications students for fall 2002. A record 27 scholarships from PIEF were recently awarded to students across Ohio and northern Kentucky. "PIEF has come a long way from its humble beginnings those years ago," said PIANKO President Anita Herington. "We continue to support the printing and graphic communications industries by enticing the best Ohio and northern Kentucky has to offer to enter the field." Founded in 1999, PIEF is the 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt foundation of PIANKO. Through various outlets, PIEF is able to provide scholarships from funds raised through golf outings, memorial trusts that have been established and other fund-raising activities. "It’s so great to see our foundation take off," said Jim Hopkins, chairman of PIEF and PIANKO’s vice chairman. Hopkins is president of Hopkins Printing in Columbus. "There’s no better thrill than knowing this money will go to help students who are pledged to enter the graphic communications industry." Some regional winners included: North Brenda Bergman – St. Henry – Bergman received a $1,000 scholarship from the Carl Zellers Memorial Scholarship Fund. She was a member of her school’s honor roll for her entire high school career. She will be attending Bowling Green University in the fall studying graphic design. She hopes to someday own her own business. Matt Davis – Broadview Heights – Davis received a $1,000 scholarship from the Carl Zellers Memorial Scholarship Fund. He has always had an interest in graphic communications and has worked in small print shops as well as larger plants. Heidi Ludwick – Rome – Ludwick received a $1,000 scholarship from the Carl Zellers Memorial Scholarship Fund. She graduated from Grand Valley High School with a 4.0 GPA and will be attending Kent State University in the fall majoring in Visual Communications Design. Kate Serne– Strongsville – Serne received a $1,000 scholarship from the Carl Zellers Memorial Scholarship Fund. She graduated from Strongsville High School and the Polaris Career Center where she was a member of Skills Ohio VICA and served as senior vice president for graphic communications. Stephanie Siedlecki – Wickliffe – Siedlecki received a $1,000 scholarship from the William L. Stickney Scholarship Fund. Last year, Siedlecki earned the William L. Stickney Scholarship. She then enrolled in the University of Akron where in her first year, she maintained her straight-A status. She is majoring in graphic design and plans to make her career as a production artist, creative director or graphic artist. Candace Watts – Maple Heights – Watts received a $1,000 scholarship extension from a 2001 William L. Stickney Scholarship Fund. She plans to enter Cuyahoga Community College this fall, majoring in graphic design. Jessica Zody – Loudenville – Zody received a $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Scholarship Fund – North Region. Zody graduated from Loudenville High School. She will be attending Kent State University. Central Redina Reitter – New Philadelphia – Reitter received a $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Scholarship Fund – Central Region. While beginning as a design student, her interests soon turned to press work and print production. She maintained a 3.5 GPA at Carrollton High School and a 4.0 GPA at the Buckeye Career Center. South McKensie Long – Milford – Long received a $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Scholarship Fund – South Region. Long graduated from Milford High School and will be entering the University of Cincinnati majoring in graphic design. Kristy Lyons – Batavia – Lyons received a $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Scholarship Fund – South Region. She has had an interest in art since early childhood. She currently attends the Art Institute of Cincinnati with a 4.0 GPA. Eric Price – Loveland – Price received a $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Scholarship Fund – South Region. Price attended Eastern Kentucky University where he decided to switch from a business administration path to graphic communications. He enrolled in the Art Institute of Cincinnati and maintains a 3.98 GPA. Rebecca Rellar – North Bend – Rellar received a $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Scholarship Fund – South Region. She attended St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati and will be attending the University of Cincinnati. This year, PIEF also was able to award a scholarship for three winners at the 2002 Skills Ohio VICA statewide graphic communications competition. Money for these scholarships came from a donation of 10 percent of the entry fees for last year’s PIANKO Print Excellence Awards. Winners included: First Place – Deanna Fogt, Sidney, in addition to winning first place in the Skills Ohio competition, Fogt also received a $1,000 scholarship. She is a graduate of Upper Valley JVS and will be attending Sinclair Community College in Dayton to earn a degree in graphic communications. Second Place – Rebecca Hicks, Doylestown, in addition to winning second place in the Skills Ohio competition, Hicks also received a $500 scholarship. Third Place – Brent Gibson, Lebanon, Gibson placed third in the competition for the second year in a row and received a $250 scholarship. The remaining scholarship dollars were distributed through five $2,000 scholarships from the Graphic Arts Council in Cleveland, seven $2,000 renewal scholarships, $6,100 awarded to Columbus State Community College in the name of the R. Reid Vance Endowment and $1,500 given to the Northern Kentucky Technical College for three $500 scholarships. Printing Industries Association, Inc. serving northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO) serves more than 500 commercial printing companies and suppliers to the industry in its service area. With headquarters in Westerville, Ohio, the association also operates offices in Broadview Heights and Cincinnati. PIANKO is an affiliate of the national Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the largest graphic arts association in the world. To learn more about PIANKO, visit www.pianko.org.