The Phoenix Challenge Foundation (PCF) is celebrating its 20th year as a leading student-driven scholarship program for the flexographic printing industry. The celebration will mark the 20th successful annual High School Challenge and 10th popular College Competition.

Bettylyn Krafft, Chairman of PCF, and the many supporters and organizers are energized and excited more than ever, having built the long-standing program in support of continuing education and careers in flexography and graphic arts among hundreds of students over the years. “This is a year to celebrate the continued vision of the late Ron & Katherine Harper who were both deeply passionate advocates of education and sustaining the flexo industry,” Krafft says.

The 20th celebration and PCF High School Skills Competition will be held March 22-24, 2017, at the Harper National Flexographic Center at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina. This high school competition sets the stage for young flexographers from across the US and Canada to compete with each other, showcasing their knowledge of flexo printing theory and graphic arts. Top performers are rewarded with on-going educational scholarships and prize trophies to encourage further career development. The High School Skills Competition is a live hands-on program which lasts three days, featuring prepress, on-press and general knowledge skills tests related to flexography. More than 20 teams are scheduled to participate in this year’s event.

In its 10th year and growing, the PCF College Challenge is happening April 29, 2017 in conjunction with the FFTA Annual Forum and INFO*FLEX event to be held in Phoenix, AZ. This event draws high-caliber graphic arts students from leading graphic communications higher education institutions such as Clemson University, CalPoly State University, Appalachian State University, and many more. The college program continues to encourage the further development of graphic arts education and career skills support. The college level competition further expands student participation by including in-depth planning and development of consumer packaged goods designs while also incorporating achieved knowledge and skill of flexographic printing.

To effectively support the mission of the Foundation, the PCF has announced the availability of sponsorships in support of its fundraising for this year’s competition and scholarship programs. “Over the past 20 years, more than 1400 students have successfully participated in Phoenix Challenge Foundation programs and events and many have gone on to successful careers in flexo and package printing. Several may be your co-workers today!” exclaims Krafft.

The PCF is a 503(b) non-profit and exists solely through generous donations made by devoted industry supporters, suppliers, flexo printers and converters. Businesses and organizations participating as sponsors will have access to a variety of options that in turn deliver marketing and recognition opportunities. To learn more about sponsorships, visit the Phoenix Challenge website.