July 17, 2002 -- The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation has received an enthusiastic response from high school teachers and counselors who have received curriculum materials and information about the graphic communications industry through the Foundation's Make Your Mark in Graphic Communications program. Teachers requesting additional materials commented: * "This couldn't come at a better time, because we are incorporating an Education to Careers program in our school next year, and we are looking for quality information." -- industrial technology teacher, Illinois. * "This packet is an excellent teaching tool." --graphics teacher, New Jersey * "I teach office technology and feel that these would be greatly beneficial in my multimedia and web page design classes." --business teacher, Kentucky * "I teach art in a juvenile correction facility and am looking for positive ways to redirect these students (the talent is here), and feel that your materials will benefit them greatly." --art teacher, Indiana * "I am always looking for fun and new ideas to supplement lesson plans." --journalism/desktop publishing teacher, Kansas MAKE YOUR MARK kits have been distributed to more than 65,000 high school teachers and guidance counselors, with the potential to reach more than 6 million high school students nationwide with graphic communications industry career information. The kits include teachers' curriculum and counselors' guides, posters, a take-home brochure for students and follow-up surveys for students and teachers, as well as directions to the industry education web site Graphic Comm Central at http://teched.vt.edu/gcc. The kits were distributed to teachers of art and graphic design, technology education/printing, journalism and yearbook production, as well as career and vocational guidance counselors at 32,000 high schools. "The Foundation is extremely pleased with this early response to the MAKE YOUR MARK program," said GAERF Chairman Ken Garner, President of United Litho, Ashburn, Virginia. "It is especially gratifying that the materials are meeting needs in classrooms and counseling offices while raising awareness of the graphic communications industry and its exciting career opportunities among young people and those who influence career decisions."