April 19, 2004 -- The third annual New York City Graphic Communication Arts competition was held on April 2, 2004 at the New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, N.Y. The competition, coordinated by Anthony Harmon, a graphic arts instructor at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts (HSGCA), brought together New York City public high school students to compete in three areas of graphic arts; commercial photography, electronic imaging, and offset printing. The competition attracted some 30 students from 6 different high schools in the New York City metropolitan area. A partnership of business, industry, secondary and post secondary education worked to bring the competition to fruition. Members of the competition committee included: Bill Dirzulaitis, former president of the Association of Graphic Communications (AGC); Lloyd Carr, New York City College of Technology (NYCCT); Florence Jackson, NYC Department of Education – Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education; Jack Powers, International Informatics Institute; and Anthony Harmon, Graphic Communication Arts High School (HSGAC). A highlight of the day for the instructors attending the competition was a roundtable discussion with industry leaders Jack Powers and Bill Dirzulaitis. Educators got an opportunity to hear first hand about the latest industry trends, receive scholarship applications and provide feedback for the Scholarship & Career Advancement Foundation Inc. scholarship guidelines. Students were addressed by the following representatives: Dr. JoAnn LaPerla, the Provost of New York City College of Technology (NYCCT); Professor Joel Mason, Advertising and Graphic Arts Department Chairperson, NYCCT; Lloyd Carr, Director, Graphic Arts Program, NYCCT; Jack Powers, Director, International Informatics Institute; Dr. Sonya Jackson, Dean of Curriculum, NYCCT; and Dr. Robin Nargar, Dean of the School of Technology and Design, NYCCT. All competition participants received a certificate of participation, a “goodie bag” filled with appropriate tools, NYCCT information, handbooks, and more. The winners received a trophy for the school, a personal trophy and prizes: First place winners received a digital camera, courtesy of the New York City School to Work Alliance; Second Place winners received a CD “boom box” and Third place winners received a portfolio carrying case, courtesy of Jack Powers of International Informatics Institute. The Awards in Offset Printing: - First place, Confessor Santiago, Bushwick High School - Second Place, Steven Perez, Bushwick High School - Third Place, Heriberto Sanchez , Graphic Communication Arts H. S. The Awards in Commercial Photography: - First Place, Lissette Reyes, Graphic Communication Arts High School - Second Place, Jerry Chery, Graphic Communication Arts High School - Third Place, Donovan Vega, Graphic Communication Arts High School The Awards in Electronic Imaging: - First place, Jessica Jenkins, Ralph McKee High School - Second Place, Badrul Rupak, Edison High School - Third Place, Iana Capistrand, of Edison High School A good time was had by all: high school students, teachers, and principals, college students and professors, industry representatives, parents and Department of Education representatives. Sponsors of this year’s competition were the The New York City Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education, the United Federation of Teachers, USA Today, the New York City Graphic Arts Advisory Commission, the New York City School to Work Alliance, the International Informatics Institute, the Graphic Communication Arts H.S, and the New York City College of Technology, the City University of New York. In addition to an overall review of the top candidates in each area by Professor Carr, the judges for this competition were instructors of the New York City College of Technology: Photography, Mr. Albert Sherman; Electronic Imaging, Professor Dawn Nye and Ms. Melody Reed; and Offset Printing, Professor Steve Caputo.