The 2021 Phoenix Challenge College and High School Competitions were both successfully completed despite navigating the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Both competitions served as examples of dedication, problem solving and showcasing knowledge and experience.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation has announced the winners of this year's competitions.

The 24th Annual Phoenix Challenge High School Skills Competition, done virtually this year, delivered talented students eager to show off their knowledge they have learned. The winners:

• 1st Place - Joshua Schneider and Kimberly Hernandez - CTC of Lackawanna County
• 2nd Place - Alyson Patterson and Kayla McDonnel - Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
• Tied for 3rd Place - Rebecca Ratliff and Emma Williams - Knox High School tied with Jason Velazquez and Edgar Trejo - Johnson High School

The 14th Annual Phoenix Challenge Collegiate Competition did not disappoint, either. The teams delivered high-quality work to their own pursued clients for a real-world business project that includes research, brand imagery, a business plan, all coupled with excellent flexo-produced print production.

This collegiate winners:

• First Place – Illinois State University – Meredith Kink, Sam Alonzo, Katie Chaltin, Renee Mance, Amaya Jungers and Kalani Ferguson
• Second Place – Appalachian State University - Madelyn Davis, Megan Pritcher, Amanda Gaspard, Oliver Webb and Jennifer Pantoja
• Third Place – CalPoly – Trent Kammerer, Lisa Teufel, Emma Steward, Jessica Dong, Michelle Kang and Sara Holm

The winning team, Illinois State University, will be featured during the 2021 FTA Virtual Forum Online program, where they will showcase their presentation and printed packaging during the session on May 20, titled “FQC: Investigating Methods to Increase Efficiency & Packaging Quality” – to be held from 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. Eastern.

Regarding this year’s competition, Bettlyyn Krafft, Foundation chair, says, “I continue to be inspired, impressed and frankly just blown away by the college competition. The students take it up several notches every year. This year, with all the difficulties surrounding the pandemic, these students went even further above and beyond. This is why I do this, to help and watch these students thrive.”

All the Phoenix Challenge student participants, though the support of the Foundation, can continue their education and do become productive participants at companies in our industry. From young career entries to long-standing professional leaders, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation has helped develop talent that now works with companies like J. R. Cole Industries, Salem One, MacDermid Graphics Solutions, Harper Corporation, Quantum Ink Co., Tesa Tape, Anderson/Vreeland, Mark Andy, Inc., We Are Alexander and more.