Reston, VA - The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) awarded nearly $25,000 in scholarships to the nation's top graphic communications and advertising and design students who participated in the SkillsUSA Championships held June 22-24, 2010, in Kansas City, MO. Each competitor was given $250 to defray the costs incurred in travelling to the event.

"GAERF is committed to supporting programs that prepare the workforce of the future," said Ralph J. Nappi, GAERF President. "In this spirit, we are delighted to recognize our industry's most talented students, and encourage them to consider the many exciting career opportunities that the graphic communications industry has to offer."

The annual event, which this year hosted more than 5,600 contestants competing in 96 different skill and leadership contests, showcases the top career and technical education students in the nation. Its purpose is to reward students for excellence, directly involve industry in evaluating student performance, and provide training relevant to employers' needs.  To that end, the exhibition-which occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields-is held with the assistance and support of industry, trade associations and labor organizations.

To become eligible for the national competition, students must first compete at the local and state levels.  Two representatives from each state-one at the high school level and one at post-secondary-then advance to the national competition.

Graphic Communications medalists at the secondary level were:
- Gold: John Litwinowicz from Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak, MI
- Silver: Benjamin Phillips from C.S. Monroe Technology Center, Leesburg, VA
- Bronze: Heather Ashe from Chester County Career Center, Chester, SC
At the post-secondary level, the winners were:
- Gold: Shane Govert from Ball State University, Muncie, IN
- Silver: Susan Harris from Riverside Community College, Riverside, CA
- Bronze: Jonathan Hand from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC  
Advertising and Design medalists at the secondary level were:
- Gold: Sarah Parker from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Career, Winston-Salem, NC
- Silver: Gabriela Sosa from Jack E. Singley Academy, Irving, TX
- Bronze: Casey McGee from Greater New Bedford RVTHS, New Bedford, MA
At the post-secondary level, the winners were:
- Gold: My Bach from Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA
- Silver: Sean Mooney from Augusta Technical College, Augusta, GA
- Bronze: Lois LaBuda from University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR