Heidelberg USA Hosts Georgia SkillsUSA Graphic Communications Competition

KENNESAW, GA—March 19, 2010—For the third year in a row, Heidelberg USA hosted the annual Georgia SkillsUSA competition in Advertising Design and Graphic Communications at its Technology Center on March 11-12. The Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG) partnered with Heidelberg USA to sponsor the event.

“Heidelberg USA is honored once again to host the Georgia SkillsUSA graphic communications and advertising design competitions,” said Susan Nofi, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Heidelberg USA. “It’s great to see these high school students demonstrate such a strong interest in a graphic arts career, and we urge them to utilize Heidelberg USA as a resource in the future. The level of talent exhibited during this competition is truly astonishing, and I certainly hope these students pursue their career goals into their higher education and the workforce.”

The national SkillsUSA Championship competition is held each summer in Kansas City, MO, followed by the WorldSkills International competition, held each fall in different locations around the globe. Skills USA-VICA is the national organization for students in trade, industrial, technical and health occupation education. It conducts the annual SkillsUSA Championships to recognize the achievements of vocational students and encourage them to excel.

A grant from the PIAG Educational Foundation will enable first place contestants and their advisors to travel to Kansas City in June to compete in the national SkillsUSA competition. In addition, Heidelberg USA awards scholarships to the secondary and postsecondary SkillsUSA winners totaling $4,500 and donates the use of six Printmaster QM 46 presses during the national competition. The school of the first place secondary and postsecondary participants also receives a one-year lease for a Printmaster QM 46 press.

“Participation in SkillsUSA is a win for everyone. Students get valuable job training and industry ensures a skilled pipeline of future talent,” said Tim Taylor, CEO, PIAG. “Because of the generous support of Heidelberg USA, just participating in the competition is a huge education for students and teachers. Many have never seen presses like those on display in Heidelberg’s Technology Center. The training day provided by Heidelberg for all participants is even more valuable than the actual competition. It's amazing what these kids can accomplish with the support of companies like Heidelberg."

Winners in the Georgia graphic communications competition include:

• First place: Christina Hillman, Effingham High School, Springfield, GA.

• Second place: Eriko Smith, Bradwell Institute, Hinesville, GA.

• Third place: Jason Cagle, Walton High School, Marietta, GA.

Winners in the Georgia advertising design competition include:

• First place: Karina Scholtens, Central Education Center, Newnan, GA.

• Second place: Yea Jee Bea, Dalton High School, Dalton, GA.

• Third place: Julia Tillary, Effingham High School, Springfield, GA.