Highest Ever Scores at Phoenix Challenge Competition’s Eighth Annual Contest - Bright Students Compete
5/18/2005 - (Charlotte, NC)
Utilizing two Mark Andy and two Comco flexographic presses at the Harper National Flexographic Center at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC, a record number of students made history in April 2005. The 38 competitors earned the competition's highest ever overall test scores in math exams, pre-press, press operation, plate-making and written tests.
Above: The Phoenix Challenge first-place winners accept the 2005 Harper Flexo High School of the Year award on behalf of Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School. Pictured from l to r: Bettylyn Krafft, president of Krafft Printing Systems, Inc. and chairman of the Phoenix Challenge; Payam Rajabi and Sean Coulson, 2005 winners of the Phoenix Challenge; Katherine Harper, president, Harper Corporation of America; and Ron Harper, CEO, Harper Corporation of America.
Commenting on the remarkable improvement in scores and the success of the 2005 competition, Bettylyn Krafft, Phoenix Challenge chairman, commented, “This is indicative of the high quality level of students now participating in the Annual International Phoenix Challenge Flexo Skills Competition.”
In addition, 22 of these high school student contestants achieved a Level I Press Operator Certification on tests administered by the Flexographic Technical Association during the event, reported Shelley Rubin, FTA Education Coordinator.
It is evident that the competition has generated substantial excitement and interest among high school students, which has resulted in attracting a broader spectrum of the student body at the various schools that compete. Krafft added, “We are pleased that the competition, publicity and exposure to flexography by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is indeed helping to achieve our mission of building tomorrow’s workforce for our industry.”She also said, “The 2005 event marked the eighth year of the competition. We will begin planning 2006 within the next few weeks. A 100% volunteer effort of this magnitude takes a full year to prepare for.”
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
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The Phoenix Challenge Foundation
6805 Pleasant Grove Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article please contact Sonya at sonya@harperimage.com
