Reston, VA, November 6, 2006 -- For the second time in three years, the PrintED accredited graphic communications program at Royal Oak High School (Royal Oak, Mich.) has produced a national winner at the SkillsUSA Championships. Michael Fleming, Royal Oak High School (Mich.), took home the gold medal at the SkillsUSA Championships. Royal Oak senior Michael Fleming competed against winners from 33 other states during the SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri this summer. Participants were tested in nine graphic communications skills areas, which included binding and finishing, digital workflow, offset press, electronic prepress, a written test, an oral professional assessment, production planning and a written resume. As a national winner, Fleming traveled to Chicago to attend GraphExpo and Converting Expo 2006 where he was honored for his achievements. In addition, he has earned Royal Oak High School the use of a Heidelberg Printmaster press for a year. He is continuing his education at Ferris State University. Two years ago, Meghan Boyle, a graduate of this same high school, which at that time was known as Kimball High School, won the same distinction. Mike Stinnett, graphic communications instructor at Royal Oak, is convinced that the school's ongoing commitment to PrintED accreditation and curricula is a key reason for its students' success. "The Royal Oak PrintED program serves more than 140 students this year, and in the seven years of its existence, has never attracted fewer than 90. More than a quarter of the program's enrollment consists of honor students, and most of its graduates go on to college", Stinnett says. "PrintED gives me a solid foundation for a curriculum," he explains, "that dictates what I teach to the students. It forces me to reevaluate what I do, and how I do it, to ensure that my program is aligned with industry standards. It's not somebody outside of the printing industry providing me with advice, it's the industry itself."