Star Students

The Impressions Awards Student Decorating Competition honors the next generation of our industry's entrepreneurs. April 21, 2010
By Marcia Derryberry, Editor in Chief

As the industry's premiere decorating competition, the Impressions Awards have long honored the best of the best in all kinds of apparel embellishment. We're continually amazed at the level of talent from both seasoned veterans, as well as new entrepreneurs who push the envelope a little more each year. We're equally impressed by the increasing talent shown by our market's future leaders; high school students who participate in a separate competition designed to recognize individual excellence, as well as their schools' graphic arts programs.

This year, ISS Long Beach was again the showcase for the third-annual Impressions Awards Student Decorating Competition. An extension of the Impressions Awards contest for industry professionals, the student version is tailored for future screen printers and digital decorators, and consists of five categories created to celebrate these young people's achievements. This year's entries were another indication that ours is an industry of limitless creativity and potential, and the judges were impressed by the skills exemplified by the students' work. Thank you to our judges: Charlie Taublieb, Taublieb Consulting, James Ortolani, Hix Corp. and Dane Clement, Great Dane Graphics and SPSI.

Impressions and ISS also would like to thank the industry suppliers who sponsored this year's competition. Their generous donations will enable these high school programs to continue to grow the future of our industry. With a record number of sponsors this year, we were able to award various prizes to several students and their schools, with the Grand Champion winner's school receiving a refurbished GT-541 garment printer from Brother Intl. Corp.

To download a pdf of the "Star Students" article as it appeared in the April/May 2010 issue of Impressions, click here.



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