SAAC Announces 2013 Scholarship Recipients

The Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC), the Southern California region's nonprofit association, recently announced its 2013 Scholarship Recipients, which are given through its sister company and charity, the Foundation for SAAC. The full list of scholarship recipients is as follows:

Winners
Lacey Pflibsen ($1,500, College)
Aisha N. Walker ($1,000, College)
Ben Soley ($1,000, College)
Brian Nadel ($1,000, College)
Caitlin Padian ($1,000, College)
Cameron Wu ($1,000, College)
Candice Solomon ($1,000, College)
Christine Truong ($1,000, College)
Claire Soley ($1,000, College)
Jessica Pflibsen ($1,000, College)
Lana Rutkin ($1,000, College)
Ryan Lawrence ($1,000, College)
Shoshana Itzkowitz ($1,000, College)
Thomas Schmaeling ($1,000, College)
Amanda Forrest ($1,500, High School)
Boake Houston Winegar ($1,000, High School)
Brian Patrick Padian Jr. ($1,000, High School)
Darlene Morris ($1,000, High School)
Jacob W. Grobisen ($1,000, High School)
Lauren Cramer ($1,000, High School)
Lindsay Dee Gunderson ($1,000, High School)
Matthew Michael Qualters ($1,000, High School)
Monique Medina ($1,000, High School)
Tyler S. Parsons ($1,000, High School)
Zach Turquand ($1,000, High School)

Parents
Sherri Pflibsen, Jack Nadel International
Lori Walker, GoldStar/National Design
Patricia Soley, The Singleton Company
Craig Nadel, Jack Nadel International
Brian P. Padian, Logomark
Jowen Wu, Continental Marketing Services Inc.
Trevor Solomon, IFM Group
Phy-Hang Nguyen, IFM Group dba Via for Travel
Todd Singleton, The Singleton Company
Kerry Rutkin, Brown & Bigelow
Patti Lawrence, HALO Branded Solutions
Aaron Itzkowitz, Design Your Recognition
David Schmaeling, Proforma
Adrienne Forrest, Bulova Corporation
Michael Houston Winegar, Key-BAK Promotional Products
Walter & Camile Morris, Verde Valley Specialty Advertising
David Grobisen, Leed's
Kimberly Swanson, Jack Nadel International
Michelle Gunderson, Fields Manufacturing
Michael Qualters, Vitronic Promotional Group
Ronald P. Medina, Califame Headwear
Manychanh Parsons, BagMakers Inc.
Todd Turquand, Top Shelf Marketing

"I am so very proud and have many things to be thankful for," said Sherri Pflibsen, senior account manager for Jack Nadel International, whose daughters received scholarships this year. "Top of my list are my girls and how they took the lead and applied and did what they do best. They speak from their hearts because they are truly passionate about their scholastic paths in the medical industry, and SAAC generously acknowledged their passion," she said. "SAAC's an organization I admire for its circumference of knowledge of our promotional industry, and [its] sincere desire to keep our industry a striving necessity in the marketing arena. The fact that through JNI my girls were able to apply to SAAC for their scholarships is another top-of-my-list thing I'm thankful for," she added. "I know their essays were anonymous when you read them, which makes it even more special."

A 501c3 corporation, the Foundation for SAAC was started in 2012 as SAAC's charitable nonprofit sister company. "When we started the Foundation for SAAC 18 months ago, we had a simple goal—to give back to the SAAC members while giving a tax advantage to our donors," said Craig Reese, CAS, senior vice president/partner with Jack Nadel International and president of the Foundation for SAAC. "About this time each year, the Foundation makes good on giving back through our college scholarships. This year was no different," he said. "We had the largest number of applicants ever, and awarded scholarships to those students that rated high with grades, extracurricular activities and a terrific essay. Each applicant was judged on a point scale adopted from PPAI's PPEF system and the names, cities and collages of the applicants were redacted to ensure fairness."

The Past Presidents Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Achievement are awarded yearly, up to $1000. Open to daughters and sons of individuals in the promotional products industry, the SAAC Foundation Presidents Scholarship Program recognize and encourage academic performance, intellectual growth and achievement, and encourage personal growth through participation in extracurricular activities within the civic and academic community. Click here for information on scholarships.

SAAC and the SAAC Foundation will also be focusing on the Kids In Need, Mully Children's Family and Threads charitable organizations at the 2013 SAAC show. Exhibitors and attendees will be able to donate products to these organizations, and there will be a networking event tied in with the Promo Kitchen party to let everyone know about the charities. The party is currently scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, at Bogart & Co. Promo Kitchen is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the charities from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information on SAAC or the Foundation for SAAC, visit www.SAAC.net or call (805) 484-7393. For more information on the SAAC show, email saacshow@saac.net or visit www.thesaacshow.org.

About the 2013 SAAC Show
The 2013 SAAC show returns to the Long Beach Convention Center with some of the largest suppliers in the promotional products industry. In addition to two days of exhibits and engaging education, this year's SAAC has a new layout, a performance by the SAAC All Star Band of industry musicians at the post-show Mixer & Wine Tasting, and new show hours.

Show information:
The SAAC Show 2013
Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif.
Show hours:
Wednesday, August 7 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 8 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Education Sessions - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. both days
Register at http://www.saac.net/show/attendees/registration-for-attendees

For more information, visit www.thesaacshow.org.