PIAG Foundation Supports SkillsUSA Georgia Student Competitions
The PIAG Educational Foundation proudly carried the flag for the print industry through our partnership with SkillsUSA Georgia and its recent State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC). During the SLSC, which took place last month, thousands of career and technical students competed in over 150 championships to showcase their skills and talent.
PIAG and its members managed and hosted three competitions on February 20: Kennesaw State University hosted Advertising Design, Perfect Image hosted Graphic Communications, and Danger Press hosted Screen Printing Technology. A total of 28 high school and postsecondary students participated across these three contests, demonstrating their knowledge through hands-on assessments.
Holding these competitions at member facilities provided students with direct access to industry equipment and professionals, offering a unique opportunity to showcase their talents while gaining a deeper understanding of the profession.
Additionally, PIAG supported four pre-submission contests. Twelve volunteers judged over 160 entries from high school and middle school students in four design competitions: Brand Design, Promotional Poster, SkillsUSA Georgia Pin Design, and SkillsUSA Georgia T-Shirt Design.
Congratulations to those students who medaled in their respective competitions.
Advertising Design – High School
- Gold - Lilly Garrett, Ringgold High School
- Silver - Ximena Ruiz Landeros, Houston County High School
- Bronze - Za'Lan Helaire, Northside High School
Advertising Design – Postsecondary
- Gold - Jay Keller, Augusta Technical College
- Silver - Joshua Roberts, Augusta Technical College
- Bronze - Brecklyn Hancock, Augusta Technical College
Graphic Communications – High School
- Gold - Ollie Farmer, Flowery Branch High School
- Silver - Michelle Leal-Contreras, Maxwell High School of Tech
- Bronze - Melody Godlewski, Alliance Academy for Innovation
Screen Printing Technology – High School
- Gold – Kasie Moore, Stephens County High School
- Silver – Bayli Potgeter, Hiram High School
- Bronze – Tanner Miller, Flowery Branch High School
Brand Design – High School
- Gold - Agasti Nath, Buford High School
- Silver - Christian Lopez, Mitchell County Schools
- Bronze - Autumn Weathers, Evans High School
Promotional Poster – High School
- Gold - Arshad Ahamed Habibul Rahman, Lambert High School
- Silver - Gabe Baesa, Murray County High School
- Bronze - Sophia DiCristina, Decatur High School
Promotional Poster – Middle School
- Gold - Lucia Campos-Pacheco, Flat Rock Middle School
- Silver - Hannah Key, Fort Middle School
- Bronze - Su'mya Pierce, Newbern Middle School
SkillsUSA Georgia Pin Design – High School
- Gold - Matthew Hering, Jordan Vocational High School
- Silver - Kirnita Mcmillan, Kendrick High School
- Bronze - Terry Harrell, Kendrick High School
SkillsUSA Georgia Pin Design – Middle School
- Gold - Serenah Walker, Howard Middle School
- Silver - Antonia Baker, Howard Middle School
- Bronze - Hadassah Clark, Haymon-Morris Middle School
SkillsUSA Georgia T-Shirt Design – High School
- Gold – Melanie Alvarez, Southeast Whitfield High School
- Silver - Emmar Harnchotipun, Alliance Academy for Innovation
- Bronze - Alexandra Martinez, Charles R. Drew High School
SkillsUSA Georgia T-Shirt Design – Middle School
- Gold - Gavin Pugh, Haymon-Morris Middle School
- Silver - Marlaja Orr, Howard Middle School
- Bronze – Hannah Jordan, Howard Middle School
We thank the following individuals for volunteering their time to host judge the competitions. They were crucial to creating a successful and productive experience for students.
- Heath Beeferman, Beeferman Design
- David Bennett, Bennett Graphics
- Laura Townsend, Canon
- Julie Sanders, Communicorp
- Justin Cohelo, Danger Press
- Casey Conrad, Danger Press
- Jove Holloway, Danger Press
- Ed Jewell, Danger Press
- Jordan Ozubko, Danger Press
- Hans Mortensen, Georgia Southern University
- Jeff Powalisz, Heidelberg
- Jess Gerjets, id8
- Suzie Amberry, Kennesaw State University
- Brandi Courrege, Kennesaw State University
- Kristine Hwang Kim, Kennesaw State University
- Mary Kathryn Lopez, Kennesaw State University
- Mary Beck Rodee, Kennesaw State University
- Jarrett Rogers, Kennesaw State University
- Miles Haymond, Lindenmeyr Munroe
- Sarah Laird, Panaprint
- Ron Bedingfield, Perfect Image
- Doug Decker, Perfect Image
- Calvin Derico, Perfect Image
- Ira Jackson, Perfect Image
- Charles Kelley, Perfect Image
- Jack Lynch, Perfect Image
- Mike Shaw, Perfect Image
- April Duncan, Scott Lithographing
- Littie Brown, SpeedPro Marietta
- Shanda Mathis, Taylor Print Impressions
- Peter Carpenter, Thoroughbred Design Group
“We appreciate our members for volunteering their time, talent, and facilities to support the next generation as they begin their journey in graphic arts,” said Jon Krueger, PIAG President & CEO. “Congratulations to the medalists and all competitors who demonstrated initiative, talent, and a passion for learning that reflects brightly on the future of the industry."