Medalists in Advertising Design, Graphic Communications, and Screen Printing Technology Announced

Reston, VA - The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) presented more than $25,000 in awards to the nation's top advertising design, graphic communications and screen printing technology students who participated in the SkillsUSA Championships held at the 51st annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 22-26, 2015, in Louisville, KY.

"GAERF is committed to supporting programs that prepare our workforce of the future," said Ralph J. Nappi, GAERF President. "In this spirit, we are delighted to recognize our industry's most talented students and encourage them to consider the many exciting career opportunities the graphic communications industry has to offer."

The annual event, which this year hosted more than 6,000 contestants competing in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields, showcases the top career and technical education students in the nation. Its purpose is to reward students for excellence, directly involve industry in evaluating student performance, and provide training relevant to employers' needs. To that end, the exhibition—which occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields—is held with the assistance and support of industry, trade associations and labor organizations. 

To become eligible for the national competition, students must first compete at the state level. Two representatives from each state—one at the secondary school level and one at post-secondary—then advance to the national competition.

Advertising Design medalists at the secondary school level were:

• Gold: Ciara Jacobi from Sussex Technical High School, Georgetown, DE
• Silver: Megan Miller from Miami Valley Career Technical Center, Clayton, OH
• Bronze: Kylee Smith from Tulsa Technology Center – Riverside, Tulsa, OK

At the post-secondary school level, the winners were:

• Gold: Juan Alvarado from Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA
• Silver: Alissa Hicks from Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT
• Bronze: Bethanie Fuhrman from Macomb Community College, Warren, MI

Graphic Communications medalists at the secondary school level were:

• Gold: Chandler Kerr from Center of Applied Technology – North, Severn, MD
• Silver: Alexander Westbrooks from Dubiski Career High School, Grand Prairie, TX
• Bronze: Emily Woods from Monmouth County Vocational School – Wall, Wall, NJ

At the post-secondary school level, the winners were:

• Gold: Tiffany Vang from Riverside Community College, Riverside, CA
• Silver: Jason Horn from Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL
• Bronze: Kalon Stephens from Tulsa Technology Center – Sand Springs, Sand Springs, OK

Screen Printing Technology medalists at the secondary school level were:

• Gold: Travis Hathaway from Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, MO
• Silver: Haleigh Alexander from Pickens County Career and Technology Center, Liberty, SC
• Bronze: KD Dehnert from Douglas High School, Minden, NV

At the post-secondary school level, the winners were:

• Gold: Kimberly Jeppson from Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT
• Silver: Bradley Carlton from Forsyth Tech Community College, Winston-Salem, NC
• Bronze: Barbara Paris from Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, MO

For more information, contact GAERF Director Eileen Cassidy at phone: (703) 264-7200 or e-mail: [email protected].