PIAG Foundation Partners with SkillsUSA Georgia for Student Competitions
The PIAG Educational Foundation continued its partnership with SkillsUSA Georgia by supporting its State Leadership and Skills Conference, which recognizes career and technical education students.
PIAG managed three competitions on February 21: Advertising Design, Graphic Communications, and Screen Printing Technology. Twenty-seven competitors, including postsecondary students, participated across the three contests and tested their knowledge via hands-on assessments.
Thank you to Danger Press for hosting the Screen Printing competition at their Atlanta facility and Heidelberg for hosting the Ad Design and Graphic Communications contests at their Print Media Performance & Training Center in Kennesaw. Hosting these events directly at member facilities - which is unique for SkillsUSA Georgia - provided students access to industry equipment and allowed them to showcase their talents while learning more about the profession.
Additionally, PIAG expanded its support this year by facilitating four pre-submission contests. Fourteen members volunteered to judge over 180 entries across four design competitions: Brand Design, Promotional Poster, SkillsUSA Georgia Pin Design, and SkillsUSA Georgia T-Shirt Design.
We thank the following PIAG members who volunteered their time to host and judge the competitions. They were vital in providing a successful and beneficial experience for each student.
- David Bennett, Bennett Graphics
- Patrick Blackburne, Canterbury Press
- Littie Brown, SpeedPro Marietta
- Paul Cavanaugh, Heidelberg
- Jessi Cinotto, Shaw Industries
- Michael Dondeville, Drummond
- April Duncan, Scott Lithographing
- Jess Gerjets, id8
- Ed Jewell, Danger Press
- Anthony Kircheim, Heidelberg
- Sarah Laird, Panaprint
- Andrew Martiny, Heidelberg
- Courtney Mathewson, Heidelberg
- Shanda Mathis, Taylor Print Impressions
- Hans Mortensen, Georgia Southern University
- Jeff Powalisz, Heidelberg
- John O’Donnell, Heidelberg
- Jordan Ozubko, Danger Press
- Julie Sanders, Communicorp
- Rod Smith, Perfect Image
- Steven Sousa, Heidelberg
- Laura Townsend, Canon
- Sean White, Heidelberg
“We are grateful to our community for volunteering their time and talent to support the next generation and to help introduce them to the print industry,” said Jon Krueger, PIAG President & CEO. “Congratulations to this year’s medalists. All students should be proud of themselves for taking the initiative to participate in these skilled competitions.”
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership & Skills Conference featured over 150 championships and brought students together with industry professionals, postsecondary institutions, and community leaders.