Association and industry partners oversaw two competitions and provided nearly $100,000 in prizes and stipends for 43 student participants.

Fairfax, Va. – For the seventh year, members of the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) supported the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) by coordinating, judging and providing $96,000 in prizes and stipends for the Graphics Imaging–Sublimation and Screen Printing Technology competitions. Over 40 secondary and post-secondary students competed in the two competitions, which were among the more than 100 competitions at NLSC.

The Graphic Imaging–Sublimation and Screen Printing Technology competitions each consisted of eight testing stations, judged and vetted by members and staff to align with standard program curriculums.

“SGIA is proud to be involved at the level it is with this effort in cultivating the future workforce,” said Johnny Shell, Vice President, Print Technology & Training, SGIA, who is in his fourth year as an NLSC chairman. “It’s an important role for the association to play as a conduit to not only bring in the industry for judging and materials, but bringing industry, teachers and students together.”

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. NLSC participants are all state winners representing today’s outstanding career and technical education students. The more than 100 competitions are designed to test participants in distinct, hands-on, technical trades, including masonry, aircraft maintenance, automobile repair, public speaking, cosmetology and more. SGIA has been involved with the competition since 2012.

"It was truly a great experience to judge so many high-level students looking to join the workforce in America,” said judge Syd Northup, Inkjet Division Manager, Gans Ink and Supply. “My faith in the future was completely restored by all these young adults."

SGIA congratulates the 2018 NLSC Graphic Imaging–Sublimation and Screen Printing Technology winners and thanks all industry volunteers and donors. For more information or to contribute to next year’s event, visit sgia.org or contact Erin Nuss.

Results — Graphics Imaging–Sublimation

Secondary Students
First: Mattie Egly, Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Second: Colby Henson, Sikeston Career & Technology Center, Sikeston, Missouri
Third: Mardeliz Flores, Orange Technical College – Mid-Florida Campus, Orlando, Florida
Post-Secondary Students
First: Sandra Castaneda, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah
Second: Samantha Killen, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
Third: Christopher Waldun, Augusta Technical College, Augusta, Georgia

Results — Screen Printing Technology

Secondary Students
First: Makayla Buscher, Nichols Career Center, Jefferson City, Missouri
Second: Keiller Middlebrook, Grover Cleveland High School, Reseda, California
Third: Gabe Waldrup, S & W Washtenaw Consortium, Saline, Michigan
Post-Secondary Students
First: Kyler Kelsch, Dixie State University, Saint George, Utah
Second: James Sullivan, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
Third: Cynthia Lainez, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, North Carolina

Judges — Graphics Imaging–Sublimation

Henry Coeme, HIX Corporation
David Gross, Conde Systems Inc.
Aaron Montgomery, Pic the Gift
Syd Northup, Gans Ink & Supply
Erin Nuss, SGIA
Ray Weiss, SGIA

Judges — Screen Printing Technology

Betty Bassett, Classic Designs Screen Printing
Brett Bowden, Printed Threads
Alan Howe, Saati Americas Corp.
Pierre Jamnicky, Blue Moon Promotional Inc.
Matthew Marcotte, T&J Printing Supply
Donnie Mullens, Fruit of the Loom Inc.
James Ortolani, PolyOne Corporation
Lon Winters, Print This/GraphicElephants.com

Donors

Aaron Montgomery of 2 Regular Guys Podcast
Adobe
Atkinson Consulting
BBC Industries Inc.
Beaver Paper & Graphic Media Inc.
Conde Systems Inc.
Easiway Systems Inc.
Epson America Inc.
Fruit of the Loom Inc.
N. Glantz & Son
GraphicElephants.com
Great Dane Graphics
HIX Corporation
Newman Roller Frames mfg. by Stretch Devices
PolyOne Corporation
Ryonet
Saati Americas Corp.
Shur-Loc Fabric System
The M&R Companies
Wasatch Computer Technologies