The Phoenix Challenge Competition is on Its Way
Charlotte, NC – February 19, 2004 - The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is excited about the upcoming Phoenix Challenge competition which marks its seventh since its inception in 1998. Students from throughout the United States and Canada will travel to Charlotte, NC to compete in this international competition on March 18-19, 2004 at the Harper National Flexographic Center (HNFC) at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte, NC. A total of thirty-two high school students participated in the 2003 Phoenix Challenge from schools located in Asheville, NC; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Holland, MI; Mississauga, Ontario (Canada); Rock Hill, SC; Teterboro, NJ; Williamston, SC; Winnsboro, SC and York, PA.

The spirited two-day competition tests students’ flexo skills in the areas of prepress, math, plate making, written knowledge and actual printing on press. The winning team leaves with thousands of dollars in scholarship monies along with the coveted “Harper Trophy Cup” to display at their school for one year.
The Phoenix Challenge Board is very busy preparing for the March event and numerous industry professionals continue to volunteer their time by participating on the Phoenix Challenge Executive Committee.

Bettylyn Krafft, Chairperson, commented, “The competition is quickly approaching and we are very excited. We hope this competition is better than ever and look forward to some of the exciting things we have in store for the students”.


The Phoenix Challenge exists solely through donations made by the flexographic industry to cover operating expenses, scholarship monies, and travel/lodging expenses for the schools. Major sponsors of the 2003 competition included:
• All Printing Resources, Inc.
• Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.
• Anagram
• Benton Graphics, Inc
• Cage Graphics, Inc.
• E. I. DuPont De Nemours & Co.
• ECONO Products, Inc.
• Harper Corporation of America
• Howard B. Vreeland, Jr.
• Howard B. Vreeland, Sr.(In memory of Alice T. Vreeland)
• Jet USA
- more –
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• Krafft Printing Systems
• Mark Andy, Inc
• Parks Printing
• PICA (Printing Industries of the Carolina)
• Raflatac
• Southern Graphics
• The Charlotte Observer
• Water Ink Technologies

Companies donating to the competition are continuously recognized throughout the competition, as well as in industry trade publications for their generosity. Krafft adds, “It’s not too late for companies to get involved. This is a very rewarding event and the students gain a lot of confidence through the competition and through interacting with industry professionals”.

To make a donation or to get involved in this very important industry event, please contact Bettylyn Krafft, Krafft Printing Systems, Inc, at phone 704-309-3748 or kps@ix.netcom.com.