The Phoenix Challenge Foundation held its 29th annual High School Skills Competition April 20, 2026, at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together flexographic printing students from high schools and career technical centers across the United States. 

The event highlights emerging talent entering the printing and packaging industries, with students demonstrating technical knowledge, teamwork and problem-solving abilities in a competitive environment aligned with real-world flexographic production. 

Top honors in this year’s competition were awarded to: 

• 1st Place: Sadie Laarman and Zoe Steele, Careerline Tech Center 

• 2nd Place: Austin Johnson and Destiny Zindle, CTC of Lackawanna County 

• 3rd Place: Paisley VanKampen and Selah Greene, Careerline Tech Center 

Participants were evaluated across multiple areas of flexographic production, including prepress and plate mounting, press operation, mathematical application and overall production efficiency. 

The annual competition serves as a pipeline development initiative, providing students with hands-on experience and opportunities to engage with industry professionals. It also supports broader workforce development efforts within the flexographic and package printing sectors. 

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation acknowledged the role of educators, judges, sponsors and industry partners in supporting the event and contributing to its continued success.