Reston, VA - The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) announces the winners of the GAERF 2015 Student Design Competition. The annual contest, now in its seventh year themed for 2015 The PIZZAZZ of PRINT!, challenged students from secondary and post-secondary institutions to create a unique and striking printed marketing piece to promote strong attendance at a major event.

An independent panel of industry expert judges chose six winners from among the 287 entries—three at the secondary school level and three at the post-secondary school level.

Winners at the secondary school level were:

• 1st Place: Mack Griffin, Mingo Central High School, Delbarton, WV (Instructor: Doug Martin)
• 2nd Place: Helene Wilt, Berks Career & Technology Center, Leesport, PA (Instructor: Michael Stein)
• 3rd Place: Cyelowyn Willey, Crawford County Career and Technical Center, Meadville, PA (Instructor: Dennis O'Laughlin)

Winners at the post-secondary school level were:

• 1st Place: Casey Capece, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Lancaster, PA (Instructor: Pamela Barby)
• 2nd Place: Yolanda Weiss, McFatter Technical College, Davie, FL (Instructor: Anthony Fitchett)
• 3rd Place: Laura Dickman, Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, WI (Instructor: David Bate)

First place winners and their instructors will receive two day all-inclusive paid trips to attend GRAPH EXPO 15 in Chicago, IL. In addition, first place winners will be presented with $2,000 checks during GRAPH EXPO's Career Awareness Day on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. The second place winners will each be awarded $1,500, and the third place winners will each receive $1,000. 

"GAERF is proud to continue its commitment to supporting education initiatives by encouraging creativity and self-expression in students through the art of design and production," said GAERF President Ralph Nappi. "This year's competition received a record number of entries at 287 surpassing the previous mark of 231 set in 2011. We are already planning for next year's Student Design Competition when GAERF will again recognize our best and brightest students, as well as the significant commitment of their instructors."

All student entries will be featured in a special display within GRAPH EXPO 15's Education Main Street, and showcased on the graphicCOMMcentral website: www.graphiccommcentral.org.