SGIA Supports the Next Generation of Printers at SkillsUSA Competition

Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) members and staff welcomed forty secondary and post-secondary students to the graphic imaging–sublimation and screen printing competitions at last week’s 2017 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). Students represented thirty-five schools from around the U.S.

SGIA has been involved with the SkillsUSA competition since 2012. In addition to setting up and judging the competition, SGIA members provided over $74,000 in prizes for the student winners and their schools.

“SGIA supports SkillsUSA because these students are the future of our industry,” said Johnny Shell, Vice President, Technical Services, SGIA. “We’re grateful to the members who back this effort as judges and prize donors.”

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Its annual competition typically attracts more than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students––all state contest winners––to 100 distinct, hands-on trade, technical and leadership competitions.

“The 2017 version of the Skills USA Graphics Imaging–Sublimation competition featured some amazing young men and women. I was so impressed with how equipped they were to design and implement saleable sublimation products,” said judge Aaron Montgomery, Co-host, 2 Regular Guys Podcast.

Results — Graphic Imaging–Sublimation

Secondary Students

First: Jacob Barber, Harris County High School, Hamilton, Georgia
Second: Kalani Ferguson, Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, Missouri
Third: Mattie Egly, Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Post-Secondary

First: Megan Moore, Riverside Community College, Riverside, California
Second: Katelyn Logsdon, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois

Results — Screen Printing

Secondary Students

First: Jaxton Winder, Hurricane High School, Hurricane, Utah
Second: Katie Meyer, Slinger High School, Slinger, Wisconsin
Third: Kimberly Patino, North Garland High School, Garland, Texas

Post-Secondary Students

First: Morgan Hofheins, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah
Second: Jessica Cupples, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
Third: Sierra Kelso, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, North Carolina

Judges — Graphic Imaging–Sublimation:

Jimmy Lamb, Sawgrass Inc.
Aaron Montgomery, 2 Regular Guys Podcast
Nick Buettner, Arjo Wiggins
Chad Hughes, Universal Wood/Unisub
Mike McGowan and Ray Weiss, SGIA

Judges — Screen Printing

Pierre Jamnicky, Blue Moon Promotional Inc.
Lon Winters, GraphicElephants.com
James Ortolani, PolyOne/Wilflex
Brett Bowden, Printed Threads
Alan How, Saati Inc.
Betty Bassett, volunteer

Prize Donors

Black Body/BBC Industries
Condé
Easiway
GraphicElephants.com
Great Dane Graphics
Hix Corporation
International Coatings
M&R Companies
PolyOne
Riley Hopkins
Ryonet
Sawgrass
STAHLS’
Stretch Devices
TMI Screen Printing
Unisub
Vastex
ViTiny