Dillon Cordes took his experience from the Austin High School graphics program and put it to good use, winning the state Skills USA/VICA graphic communication competition and qualifying for this year's national competition.

The state competition was at the beginning of April. It consisted of a six-page test and three printing jobs, all within a time limit that graphics teacher Craig Knippel said forces the students to stay "cool under pressure."

Cordes did not realize just how well he had handled that pressure.

"I was surprised," he said. "I didn't think I was going to win. I knew I was going to place, but not first."

Cordes said printing comes easily to him. He's been doing since he was a freshman, and his experiences changed a lot of his goals in school. He said he had thought about studying medicine, but after seeing how fun printing could be, he is now considering continuing it as a profession someday.

Cordes said he likes all aspects of it, "as long as it's my own job."

He said he enjoyed seeing the finished product more than any one particular process. That is the best part of the work, he said.

"You can make your own stuff," he said. "I've done T-shirts, notebooks, I've printed on glass."

At home, Cordes has a glass plaque with his name sand-blasted onto it. He said he likes that piece more than any other.

The national competition is June 23-27 in Kansas City, Mo. That pressure does not seem to affect Cordes either. He said he is not at all nervous.

Cordes was not the only student to perform well in competition this year. Three other Austin High School students put in good showings across the state.

In the Printing Industries of Minnesota (PIM) contest, senior Mike Brenden and junior Ryan O'Leary placed first in the team competition. Also in the PIM contest, senior Ryan Gardner placed third in the individual competition.

In the state Skills USA/VICA contest, O'Leary placed third.

Knippel said the graphics program is great for the kids.

"It just makes them more well-rounded than what they may get in school," he said.