Charlotte, N.C., May 13, 2008 - Ron and Katherine Harper recently passed along a warm message of congratulations to the Flexographic Trade School's current Harper scholars: "Please tell Lamar Carothers and Linwood Armstrong, Jr. that we wish them every success as they pursue new careers in the wonderful world of flexography."

Carothers and Armstrong came to the Flexographic Trade School (FTS) in Fort Mill, S.C. through Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Inc., a community-based non-profit agency dedicated to helping the unemployed and underemployed to find and keep living wage jobs (www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org , 704.332.5822). Their enrollment in the school is made possible through a scholarship program created by Ron and Katherine Harper. Jacob's Ladder is based in nearby Charlotte, N.C.

Mr. Harper said, "The industry has been so good to Katherine and me over the past 37 years, and Lamar and Linwood can expect the same if they are willing to 'go the extra mile' every day in their pursuit of excellence. They are already off to a great start, having enrolled in the Flexographic Trade School, where they are receiving outstanding flexo training."

The students have reached the half-way point in FTS's three-month Flexo Press Operator Training program, and both have begun meeting with potential employers through the school's placement service.

Upon their graduation from FTS, Carothers' and Armstrong's photos will hang on a wall in the school's conference room dedicated to Harper Scholarship recipients.

"We are going to identify these students with a plaque, so everyone will be able to see all of the people that Mr. and Mrs. Harper have helped put into the industry," said Shae Fields, co-owner of FTS.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or [email protected].