(WESTERVILLE, Ohio)—In its continuing effort to bring new, fresh and vibrant talent to the graphic communications industry, the Printing Industries Association, Inc. serving northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO) announced its scholarship foundation (Printing Industries Education Funds, Inc., or PIEF) has awarded $40,250 in scholarships to existing and potential graphic communications students for the fall of 2004. Distributing 34 scholarships, PIEF is working to ensure that students interested in entering graphic communications and the printing industry have the tools they need. Four scholarships, totaling $12,000 were award by a member of the PIEF family of funds, the Graphic Arts Council (GAC) in northeast Ohio. Scholarships were awarded to Michael LaNasa (Ohio University), Jacqueline Townsend (Valley Forge High School), Carissa Rohrer (Medina County Career Center) and Heather Henry (Hoover High School). PIEF also awarded a $2,000 grant to Gateway Technical College for three scholarships, awarded to Melissa Irwin, JoDee Willson and Rick Neltner. The three top medal winners at the 2004 Skills Ohio VICA statewide graphic communications competition also received PIEF scholarships. Money for these scholarships came from a donation of 10 percent of the entry fees for the 2003 PIANKO Print Excellence Awards. Winners included: Andrew Schwan, first place, Joshua Williams, second place and Brandon Staudt, third place. “PIEF has grown to be a vital source for students in the graphic communication industry to look to for financial support to continue their education,” said PIANKO President Anita Herington. “I personally want to thank all the individuals and companies who have made this growth possible in just five years.” Founded in 1999, PIEF is the 501(c) 3, tax-exempt foundation of PIANKO. Through various outlets, PIEF is able to provide scholarships from funds raised through golf outings, memorial trusts that have been established and other fund-raising activities. “It’s so rewarding to see the number of repeat scholarship recipients who are doing so well in their studies,” said Jim Hopkins, chairman of PIEF. Hopkins is president of Hopkins Printing in Columbus. “There’s no better thrill than knowing this money will go to help students who are pledged to enter the graphic communications industry.” Regional winners include: North Jamie Czelusniak – Westlake – Czelusniak received her second $1,000 scholarship from the Carl Zellers Memorial Scholarship Fund. She graduated from Westlake High School and is a sophomore attending The Ohio State University majoring in visual communication.  Jennifer Davis – Columbiana – Davis received a second $1,000 scholarship from thePIEF General Scholarship Fund. She will be a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati. Jessica Dugan – Lakewood –Dugan attends Cuyahoga Community College where she will graduate this year with a degree in Graphic Design. She plans on attending the University of Akron to further her graphic design education and obtain a bachelor’s degree. Heather Henry – North Canton – Henry received a PIEF General Scholarship. Rachael Novak - Bay Village – Novak attends Bay High School in Bay Village where she is a member of the National Honor Society and class president. She’ll be attending Kent State University in the fall where she will be majoring in Visual Communication Design. Stephanie Siedlecki – Wickliffe – Siedlecki received her fourth annual $1,000 scholarship from the William L. Stickney Scholarship Fund. She is majoring in graphic design at Bowling Green State University and plans to make her career as a production artist, creative director or graphic artist upon graduation in 2005. James Shearer – Sylvania – Shearer received his second $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF General Scholarship Fund and is a sophomore at Bowling Green State University. Central Micaela Berry – Carroll – Berry is a senior at Canal Winchester High School. She also attends Eastland Career Center for half a day in the Commercial Art program. She will be attending Ohio University in the fall of 2004 majoring in graphic arts. Micaela is a member of the National Honor Society. Rita Delawder – Columbus – Delawder received the R. Reid Vance Scholarship and attends Columbus State Community College. Amy Dennis – Newark – Dennis is also a recipient of the R. Reid Vance Memorial Scholarship, Amy Michelle Dennis attends Heath High School. She is planning on attending Columbus State Community College and entering the communications program. Teresa Haney - Merengo – Haney is a senior at Highland High School in Marengo, Ohio where she participates in National Honor Society, art club, theater, ski club and show choir. Teresa plans to attend Kent State University to study graphic design and visual communications. Leah Jones – New Concord – Jones received her second $1,000 scholarship from the Central Region Scholarship Fund and will be a sophomore Cedarville University in the fall. South Kimberly Brown - Urbana – Brown will continue her education at The Ohio State University. She is interested in graphic design, animation and working with computers. Sarah Dunn - Cincinnati – Dunn will graduate from Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati and will be attending the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning at the University of Cincinnati pursuing a career in the field of graphic design. Stephanie Guigou – New Knoxville – Guigou attends New Knoxville Local School. In the fall, Guigou hopes to attend Bowling Green State University and major in graphic design/journalism. Peter Mayer – Cincinnati – Mayer received his second $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Southern Region Scholarship Fund. Mayer will be attending Cincinnati State. Virginia Odle – Portsmouth – Odle received a Southern Region Scholarship of $1,000. Jessica Owens – Cincinnati - Owens is a graduate of Oak Hills High School from the class of 2002. She is currently enrolled at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, majoring in Graphic Imaging Technology.  Nathan Palmer – Oregonia – Palmer received another $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Southern Region Scholarship Fund. He will be a sophomore at the Kettering School of Advertising Art in the fall. Georgianne Redding – Hamilton – Redding attends Hamilton High School. She’s a member of the Gold Honor Roll and has won various awards in Science, Art and English. Becky Rellar – North Bend – Rellar received her second $1,000 scholarship from the PIEF Southern Region Scholarship Fund. She attends the University of Cincinnati. Ryan Turnmire – Urbana – Turnmire has earned his second $1,000 scholarship after placing first in the National Skills USA Graphic Communications Competition in 2003. He is attending Clark State University. Natalie Sanders – Franklin – Sanders hopes to attend Sinclair Community College to attain a degree in graphic arts with her $1,000 Southern Region Scholarship. Christan Wilkins – Lebanon – Wilkins hopes to attend the University of Cincinnati to study computer technology with a minor in graphic arts.