Our adventure started on Sunday, October 21st off of I-64 in Waynesboro, where Alice parked her car at McClung Companies (thank you Tom) for the next five days. Then it was off to the south western part of the state to Tazewell Virginia.   “Over the river and through the woods…” we finally arrived at the beautiful home of Doyle and Linda Rasnick (Clinch Valley Printing). We thank them both for their hospitality.   Monday, October 22nd: Location: North Tazewell We arrived at Wise County Career-Technical Center where we were welcomed by David Kindle (Graphic Communications instructor), the school principal and counselors.   Our message was a strong one, the printing industries needs employees! The statistics are compelling. Printing is the 6th largest employer in the state of Virginia responsible for 21,000 of the million plus employed in the United States. There are a total of 743 printing facilities in the state and with the baby boomers retiring, it is estimated that 60,000 new jobs will be opening in the next 5 years in the US. This insures a one to one job placement in the printing industry. Virginia currently has 13 printing education programs. The Ambassadors for Print program’s mission is to strengthen these programs. We found that the most successful programs have (1) a great committed instructor and (2) a great advisory board of industry leaders. If you would like more information on the Ambassadors for Print program contact the PIVA office at 804-550-7500.   With Mr. Rasnick at the helm… …we moved to the next location, Gate City Virginia. Scott County Career Center… …where we met with Debbie Adams (Graphic Communications instructor), her students and advisory board. Debbie’s program is considered one of the best in the state.   Our first stop, South Boston to Halifax County High School where we met with Roy McKinnis (Graphic Communications instructor) and his students. Just a short drive from South Boston east to South Hill, we met with former Graphic Communications instructor Glenn Allen and his lovely wife Robin who own Dogwood Graphics.     Committed to the educational program is former PIVA Chairman Gene Saunders (McCain Printing) in Danville. Gene supports our efforts by employing printing program students and by opening his plant for area students to visit.       On to Bassett, where we met with David Falch, Jr. at Bassett Printing.   Thursday, October 25, 2007 Location: Danville Our last day, we encountered the “hidden jewel” tucked away in Danville. Danville Community College is the only college in the state of Virginia that offers a printing program. We thank Graphic Communications instructor Michael Giles for his hospitality and for setting up this event with students, counselors, local printers, and former students.   DCC offers dual enrollment. For more information, visit their website at www.dcc.vccs.edu. DCC student print jobs Our last stop heading home took us to Bedford where we met with Traci Kauffman and David Norcross of Bison Printing.   If our journey taught us anything is that there are people in our industry willing to help this program succeed all over the state. Part of our mission is to keep printing as a profession alive for the future. You can help by giving your time and donating any good useful equipment to the printing programs throughout the state. We thank all our printers and educators who are already committed to this cause and all of you who opened your doors to us. Until next time, your road warriors:   Katie Gekker and Alice Fletcher George Washington High School is just a short drive from Gene’s place. We met with Tom Barrett (Graphic Communications instructor) and his students.Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Location: DanvilleTuesday, October 23, 2007: Location: Danville