KENNESAW, Ga.,August 18, 2003 –Heidelberg USA, as part of its ongoing commitment to education and encouragement of students to enter the print media industry, will honor the winners of the 2003 VICA Skills USA Championship for graphic communications during Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2003 in Chicago next month.  Winners Ryan Turnmire and Joyce Keith, along with their instructors, will be recognized at the annual Heidelberg Skills USA dinner to be held Sunday, September 28. The honorees, which recently won the prestigious national student competition in Kansas City, Mo., also will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Heidelberg’s Print Media Academy; complimentary passes to the show, printing manuals and videos to help them continue their education in the Graphic Arts Industry. Later this fall, Heidelberg will install a Printmaster QM 46 two-color press in each of the schools Turnmire and Keith were enrolled in at the time of the competition to help teach upcoming students about new printing techniques. Heidelberg has supported the SkillsUSA graphic communications category since 1999. During the competition, Turnmire and Keith outperformed in events that were aimed at measuring the students’ overall abilities and knowledge of the entire printing process. This year’s competition was the first time students were judged on their understanding of digital workflow and Computer-To-Plate technology, as well as their folding capabilities. The live competition is designed to test the students on real world applications and prepare them for today’s print shop environment. All competitors were required to print a two color one-sided job and one color, turn and tumble project that both Keith and Turnmire excelled in.   Turnmire, a recent graduate of Ohio Hi-Point Career Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio, who plans to attend Clark State College this fall, has been honing his skills at a local print shop over the summer. Turnmire received top honors in the Secondary Division of the competition for his outstanding work.  “The best part of the week was being able to hang out with kids my own age that have the same interests I do,” stated Turnmire. “I’m looking forward to my trip to Chicago and having the opportunity to attend the show to see the latest in printing technology up close.”  Ms. Keith, this year’s Postsecondary Division winner, became the first contestant from Oklahoma ever to win first place in the national competition. Ms. Keith is completing her undergraduate studies at the Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, OK. “I am proud to have won and I am proud to be the first participant from Oklahoma to win this prestigious competition,“ Keith said. “I take a lot of pride in my work and to be able to showcase my skills and perform so well was a great thrill.”  The June 2003 event drew more than 4,100 contestants in 75 separate events with nearly 1,200 judges and contest organizers from labor and management. The SkillsUSA Championships is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. Before reaching the national competition, participants had to place first in the Skills-VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) State Tournament before moving on to the nationals in Kansas City. “Heidelberg is firmly committed to the growth of the industry and we realize that the young students competing in these events will soon be the leaders of the industry,” said Larry Kroll, vice president of print media relations. “That’s why Heidelberg continues to play a significant role in this great event and recognizing the finest young printers in the country during Graph Expo will truly be our honor.”