Record Number of Entries Received in Tenth Annual Contest to Encourage Students to Participate in the Process of Print

Reston, Va. – The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) announces the winners of the GAERF 2018 Student Design Competition. Now in its tenth year, the annual contest, themed "Dominate the Display!", challenged students from secondary and post-secondary institutions to combine their critical thinking and creativity to design and print an appealing and informational label for a fictitious product (of their choice) that showcases its unique brand and influences the decision to purchase. Entries were judged on their compelling and influential design, (fictitious) product and brand identification, fit to the product container, creativity and originality, and use of printing enhancements.

An independent panel of industry expert judges chose six winners from among the 465 entries—three at the secondary school level and three at the post-secondary school level.

Winners at the secondary school level were:

• 1st Place: Ethan Dollarhide, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River, MA
  (Instructor: Michelle Gaudencio)
• 2nd Place: Braydon Lettkeman, Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater, OK
  (Instructor: Michelle Moore)
• 3rd Place: Jennifer Jacobs, Berks Career and Technology Center, Leesport, PA
  (Instructor: Beth Ireland)

Winners at the post-secondary school level were:

• 1st Place: Alicia Long, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
  (Instructor: Steve Gonsowski)
• 2nd Place: Gloria Turnbull, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
  (Instructor: Steve Gonsowski)
• 3rd Place: Atra Givarkes, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
  (Instructor: Steve Gonsowski)

First-place winners and their instructors will receive a two-day, all-inclusive paid trip to attend PRINT^® 18 in Chicago, IL. In addition, first-place winners will each be presented with a $2,000 check during PRINT 18’s Career Awareness Day on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. The second-place winners will each be awarded $1,500, and the third-place winners will each receive $1,000.

The winning entries will be featured in a special display at booth 4839 within PRINT 18’s Workforce Solutions exhibit; at the entrance of the Career Awareness Day assembly in posters printed courtesy of THE ALC GROUP, Kansas City, MO, Byron Pendleton, President; and, showcased on the GAERF website. A slideshow of all student entries will run at booth 4839 and, also be available on the GAERF website following PRINT 18.

For more information about the GAERF Student Design Competition, contact GAERF Director Margie Garr at phone: 703/264-7200 or email: [email protected].