OUR MISSION

The Mission of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is to promote the growth of the Flexographic printing
process in the educational system.

Phoenix Challenge Foundation - Scope & Vision

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing flexographic printing education. Founded in 1997, it was incorporated in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. The Foundation partners with schools, colleges, and industry leaders to create opportunities for students to excel in flexography. Its mission is to promote the growth of the flexographic printing process in education, equipping the next generation of flexographers.

The Phoenix Challenge High School Skills Competition itself was born out of a desire for a hands-on competition. In 1997, the first event was held, where student teams were judged by industry professionals on key label-making skills: prepress, platemaking, printing, and theory. Over the years, the competition evolved, now offering scholarships and the prestigious Harper Flexo Cup to the top-performing team each year.

WHY THE PHOENIX?
According to legend, the Phoenix represents the renewal of youth and immortality that comes from the ashes of the fire of its predecessor. This legend is similar to the renewal and ever-expanding growth of the Flexographic workforce. As the Phoenix is created out of its father's ashes, so the Flexo in High School Program is created out of the inspiration of the fathers of the Flexo industry.

The Fire
- Signifies the rapid growth of the Flexographic process.
- Flexography was born out of the ashes of the fire of its predecessor aniline.
- The Colors
  - Red represents Flexo as the new lifeblood of the printing industry.
  - Purple signifies royalty or advancement to a position of power.
  - Gold represents a process that is rich in technology.
  - Teal represents Charlotte, NC, the birthplace of the Flexo in High Schools program.

The Wings
- The wings of the Phoenix show an upward movement toward a common goal of industry and education working in unison.
- The wingspan spreads to encompass entire Flexo community: students, instructors, converters, suppliers and associations.

The Crown
- The gold crown is a symbol of opportunity for a prosperous career.

BUILDING TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE

Phoenix Challenge Foundation - History

A HISTORY OF BUILDING TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE

In 1998, the Applied Technology Center (ATC) in Rock Hill, South Carolina, became the first Flexo in High School Program (FIHS) site to have both Mark Andy and Comco label presses in their graphics lab. The desire for an international competition by the ATC and other FIHS programs gave birth to the Phoenix Challenge. Working with industry and higher education supporters, the first competition was held in 1998. Each school team was judged by industry specialists, competing in all the critical steps in label making: prepress, platemaking, printing skills and basic theory. Over the past years the competition has been fine-tuned and now has grown to offer not only medals for placement in each area, but also scholarships to the winning team to support their future education in flexography. The Harper Flexo Cup is the ultimate award that travel yearly to the top scoring team.

A HISTORY OF BUILDING TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE

Working with industry and higher education supporters, the first competition was held in 1998. Each school team was judged by industry specialists, competing in all the critical steps in label making: prepress, platemaking, printing skills and basic theory. Over the past years the competition has been fine-tuned and now has grown to offer not only medals for placement in each area, but also scholarships to the winning team to support their future education in flexography. The Harper Flexo Cup is the ultimate award that travel yearly to the top scoring team.

Katherine Harper

A Legacy Built on Innovation, Education, & Heart

Katherine Harper of Harper Corp has spent decades doing two things exceptionally well — advancing the science of flexographic printing and investing in the people who will carry it forward.

Alongside her husband Ron, the power couple built Harper Corp into one of the most respected names in the flexography industry. Her forward-thinking approach to technology, unwavering commitment to quality, and ability to anticipate where the industry was headed helped set new standards that others still measure themselves against today.

A Champion for Education

What truly sets Katherine's legacy apart is what she had done beyond the walls of her own company. As one of the earliest and most devoted supporters of education and the promise of helping young people build their own futures, she was a key foundational pillar of the the Phoenix Challenge Foundation — the industry's leading nonprofit dedicated to flexographic printing education

Katherine helped build something that will outlast
any single business achievement.

Through her support of competitions, workshops, and hands-on training programs, she helped ignite a passion for flexography in thousands of students, giving them the skills, confidence, and opportunity to build meaningful careers in the field. Her belief that the industry's greatest investment is in its people has shaped the Foundation's mission from the ground up.

Breaking Barriers

Katherine's impact also carries a deeper significance. In a field long dominated by men, she carved a path with expertise and determination — proving that leadership in this industry has no gender. Her success has opened doors and shifted perspectives, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue careers in flexography with confidence.

A Shared Legacy

Katherine received one of the industry's highest honors, being inducted together into the FTA Hall of Fame in 2023, joining her husband who was honored with the same accolade in 1998 — the only married couple to share this distinction. It is a recognition well earned, but perhaps secondary to the legacy they have already built — a thriving innovative company, a stronger industry, and thousands of young people whose futures look brighter because of the Harpers dedication, passion and hard work.

Diann Teague

An Advocate - A Friend - An Inspiration

Long before the Phoenix Challenge Foundation existed, Diann Teague took the lead. As a long-serving educator at the Applied Technology Center in Rock Hill, SC, she planted the seed for flexography education at the high school level — and then nurtured it into something none of them could have imagined.

Through sheer persistence, perseverance, and tenacity, Diann established the first Flexo High School Skills Competition in 1997, creating a pathway into the flexo and package printing industries for students who might never have found it otherwise. Her work sparked a movement.

Today, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation encompasses both the High School Skills Competition and a College Competition — a living testament to what one devoted educator can set in motion.

"Diann Teague was one of those people the world was lucky to have.
Her vibrant devotion to education and dedicated support of every student she encountered radiated from her so vibrantly.
The world needs more Diann Teagues."
Bettylyn Krafft, Chairman, Phoenix Challenge Foundation

Diann's legacy in milestones

1997

Diann launches the first Flexo High School Skills Competition, with coordination from Harper Corporation and the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA).

2007

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation honors Diann with the inaugural Excellence of Education Award — presented to her personally.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation launches its inaugural College Competition. From Clemson University to Toronto Metropolitan University to CalPoly - SanLuis Obispo and Illinois and Appalachian State, colleges from across North America compete each spring.

2008 – Present

The Diann Teague Award is presented annually to the instructor who guides the winning High School Skills Competition team, carrying her name and spirit into every future competition.

Today

More than 7,000 students have been introduced to flexo technology. Hundreds have gone on to careers across the flexo and package printing industries. The foundation continues to grow, guided by its mission: Inspiring tomorrow's workforce.

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