Phoenix Challange Competition Crowns 2006 Winners
Charlotte, N.C., April 28, 2006 - Two
days of intense competition culminated in a first-place award and $1,000
scholarships each for Ashley Foster and Amanda Tootill of Career &
Technology Center of Anderson in Williamston, S.C. The pair of high school
seniors were declared the winners of the ninth Annual International Phoenix
Challenge Flexo Skills Competition, which took place at the Harper National
Flexographic Center at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C.
during March 29-31, 2006.
Utilizing two Mark Andy and two Comco flexographic presses at the
Harper National Flexographic Center at Central Piedmont Community College in
Charlotte, N.C., 41 participants competed in the industry’s only international
training competition.
Foster and Tootill won the coveted first place award by earning
this year’s highest combined scores in the contest’s five exams: written
knowledge, math, pre-press proficiency, press operation and plate-making. In
addition to $1,000 Phoenix Challenge Foundation Scholarships, the winning team
took home the 2006 Harper Flexo High School of the Year trophy cup, for display
at its school.
Second place went to Arnaldo Caceres and John Moore, representing
Fairfield Career & Technology Center in Winnsboro, S.C. Juan Barreto and
Amy Baltz of South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, N.C., took third
place.
“What these kids achieve here is amazing,” said Bettylyn Krafft,
chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. “All of them prepare long and
hard for the competition at school, and this event gives them the opportunity
for recognition in the flexo industry before many even join the workforce. Some
achieve a Level I Press Operator Certification on tests administered by the
Flexographic Technical Association! These kids and the skills they’ve learned
are a valuable resource pool for our industry. We are so proud of them!”
About the Phoenix Challenge Foundation
Founded in 1998, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an all-volunteer
not-for-profit organization of industry professionals dedicated to the
recruitment and development of the future workforce for flexography. Each year,
flexo high school students and teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are
invited to the Phoenix Challenge, a two-day skill-based competition with
hands-on and written testing in operating a flexo press, prepress,
plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge. Winners are eligible for
scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. To date, $16,000 in
scholarships has been awarded to encourage students to pursue further education
and a career in flexography. For additional information or to make donations
please visit www.phoenixchallenge.org
The Phoenix Challenge Foundation – 6805 Pleasant Grove Road,
Waxhaw, NC 28173
