Nov. 1, 2005

Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School students win first place in printing contest, receive corporate donations for new equipment and scholarships

Flexography students at Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School in Mississauga have won first and second place in the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute International printing contest. One of only 21 Flexography high school programs in North America, the school has also received a $12,000 donation raised through the bi-annual Flexocan Conference for the purchase of new equipment. Gordon Graydon has also developed a new scholarship fund with donations from Dupont Canada and Flexcan.

"Our flexography program is one of the best kept secrets in Canada," says Peter Belanger, Flexography and Technological Studies teacher at Gordon Graydon. "This is one of the fastest growing industries in North America. With a high demand for skilled professionals we have partnered with a number of industry leaders to offer this program. Our eight-year old program is mostly overseen by Cryovac Sealed Air and depends of the contributions of Canadian industry to succeed."

The growth of the program has now warranted the creation of a flexographic scholarship fund. At this year's graduation, Oct. 6, 2005, three students were each awarded a $1,000. Mike Krispanis and Adam McIssac are enrolled in the print management program at Ryerson and Sean Coulson is enrolled at the University of Western Ontario.

Having won the two top spots at the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute International printing contest, the team will now defend its status as the top team in North America at a spring competition in Charlotte, North Carolina in March.

Flexography is a package print technology and a rapidly growing segment of the printing industry. Gordon Graydon is the only academic school in Canada that offers secondary students a flexography program.

Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School is located at 1490 Ogden Avenue in Mississauga.

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Media contact: Terry Hamm, Principal, Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School, 905-274-2391

Peter Belanger, Flexography and Technological Studies teacher,                                 Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School, 905-274-2391

Reference:      Carolann Barton, School Communications Specialist
                         905-890-1010, ext. 2626