JERRY HOWELL,
“CORNER STONE”
OF THE PHOENIX CHALLENGE
CORNER STONE: “The stone which lies at the corner of two walls, and unites them; the principal stone which forms the corner of the foundation of a structure; hence, that which is of fundamental importance or indispensable”, according to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary
The corner stones of the “foundation” of the annual International Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Skills Competition are the teachers who diligently strive daily to help students perform and compete at their highest potential level.
This column was created by the Phoenix Challenge Board of Directors to feature a flexographic teacher/instructor who has made a substantial difference in the lives of their students and in the success of the Phoenix Challenge Competition. Many of us were deeply touched and motivated by a teacher and continued to carry their words of wisdom with us through our adult life.
Our first teacher to be featured in this column is Jerry Howell, is truly a “corner stone” for the foundation of the Phoenix Challenge. If anyone might be considered the Godfather of the Phoenix Challenge, it has to be Jerry, who first discussed the concept with Diann Teague, who in turn created the program at Applied Technology High School in Rock Hill, S.C. in 1998. With his vision and encouragement, the Phoenix Challenge Competition was born. Also, in addition to initiating the flexographic program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC, Jerry was the mentor and inspiration for all North and South Carolina high schools flexographic programs.
Jerry also designed the Phoenix Challenge symbol and created the FTA Flexo In High Schools logo in the early stages of both programs.
Tony Donato interviewed Jerry for this column:
Donato: Jerry, tell us about yourself.
Howell: I got BS and MS degrees in Industrial Education at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. and began teaching Graphic Arts in 1981, at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. I immediately introduced flexography as part of our curriculum. I am now at Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill, S.C. and introduced flexography to their Graphic Arts Department about three years ago.
Donato: How have you participated in the Phoenix Challenge Competition?
Howell: I first brought the concept of the high school competition to the attention of Diann Teague, who was the principle/director at that time of Applied Technology High School in Rock Hill, S.C. Diann had both a Mark Andy 830 and a Comco Cadet press which enabled students to compete on the equipment they were accustomed to using in their own high school flexo lab. I then helped Diann develop a plan to initiate the program and encouraged a number of high schools to participate in the competition.
Donato: How does the Phoenix Challenge add to your ability to encourage students toward a career in flexography?
Howell: High school students have a competitive nature at their age. The competition helps burn the fuel they have stored up. It also inspires school spirit and teamwork. In addition the competition serves to validate the program, in that the high schools are teaching the skills required by the flexo industry.
Donato: What is your hope for the future that you have for your students?
Howell: I want my students to learn to take advantage of everything that is given to them and hope they find a career that is rewarding, meets their needs and one that they will fall in love with.
Donato: What can the Flexographic Industry do to help assure it will have a well educated work force?
Howell: Get and stay involved in the Phoenix Challenge program and participate as a “champion” in the FTA Flexo In High Schools programs. Help encourage and recruit students into flexographic oriented programs and be a cheerleader in the industry and at local schools for “flexographic hands-on education”.
Jerry, from all of us involved in the International Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Skills Competition, “Thank you for all you do in steering young people toward a career in our dynamic and exciting industry”.