Phoenix Challenge High School Winners Announced

Competition was stiff among top high school performers from across North America in the Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Competition. A total of 19 teams participated, a total which has grown every year since the Phoenix Challenge high school program began in 1998.

After two and a half days of a spirited, multi-functional competition, the prizes were awarded to this year’s top performers.

First-place went to Kesara Wingert and Rachel Radewahn, from Waukesha County Technical in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The pair won the first place award by earning the highest combined scores in the competition which included operating a flexo press, prepress, plate making, written knowledge, and flexo math skills. Along with the first place position, the team will each receive a $1,000 Phoenix Challenge Foundation Scholarship, along with the Harper Flexo High School of the Year trophy cup, for display at the school.

Second place went to Joe Till and Nathan Miller, of Waukesha County Technical Pewaukee, WI, with third place going to Trenton Boyd and Andrew Garner from Fairfield Career & Technology Center, Winnsboro, South Carolina.

“The competition gets more exciting and challenging every year,” said Bettlylyn Krafft, chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. “We see some of the best high school students in North America. Things really got fired up with heated competition between the teams. And these students never cease to amaze me.”

Major sponsors of this year's event included: Harper Corporation of America, Anderson & Vreeland, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, Sun Chemical, JR Cole Industries, Overnight Labels, ACTEGA-WIT, 3M, Avery Dennison, Bryce Corporation, UPM Raflatac, FFTA, Southern Graphics Systems, and Manitoba Print Industries Association.