Rayonier Advanced Materials
MEDIA RELEASE
January 25, 2019 10:37 a.m.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – January 25, 2019 – Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE: RYAM) joined the Nassau County School Board yesterday evening to announce the winners of its second annual Manufacturing Day Essay Contest and present them with their prizes.
RYAM Manufacturing Day Essay Contest Winners
Callahan Middle School – Conner Kirkland
Fernandina Beach Middle School – Leah Skinner
Hilliard Middle School – Grace Stringer
Yulee Middle School – Elizabeth Merritt
In October 2018, students from four Nassau County middle schools celebrated National Manufacturing Day at RYAM’s Fernandina Beach plant. Students spent the day learning about modern manufacturing with RYAM’s operators and engineers. After a half-day of activities, including interactive “Learning Labs” and a “Look Around the Plant” tour, students went home with the following essay prompt: “Why manufacturing matters to my community.”
“In conclusion,” wrote Elizabeth Merrit, a winner from Yulee Middle School, “manufacturing matters in our community because it supplies us with our goods, provides the area with jobs, and even saves our community a little energy.”
A winner from each school was selected based on the style, clarity and organization of their essay. During the ceremony, each of the four winners were presented with $100 gift cards by CA McDonald, general manager of RYAM’s Fernandina Beach plant, and Nassau County School Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns.
“It was thrilling to see these students respond to the world of manufacturing with such enthusiasm,” said CA McDonald. “We had a blast reading everyone’s submission and we’re very proud of the hard work put into these essays. Our hope is that at least some of these students decide to pursue careers in manufacturing when they grow up.”
The four participating Nassau County schools were: Callahan Middle School, Fernandina Beach Middle School, Hilliard Middle School and Yulee Middle School.
“This is such a great opportunity for local students to learn about manufacturing in the community and all of the exciting careers Nassau County has to offer,” said Superintendent Burns. “I’m so proud of every student who submitted and very grateful for RYAM’s partnership with Nassau County schools. Congratulations to all four winners!”
The judges of this year’s Manufacturing Day Essay Contest were: Jeanevette Miranda, RYAM senior optimization engineer and chair of the 2018 Manufacturing Day Committee; Kasandra Giley, RYAM process engineer and member of the 2018 Manufacturing Day Committee; Nixon Santiago, RYAM maintenance crew leader and IBEW Local 1924 president; Dr. Kathy Burns, superintendent of Nassua County Schools; and Laura DiBella, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board.
About Rayonier Advanced Materials
Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) is a global leader of cellulose-based technologies, including high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer commonly found in cell phones, computer screens, filters and pharmaceuticals. The Company also manufactures products for lumber, paper and packaging markets. With manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada and France, RYAM employs approximately 4,200 people and generates approximately US $2 billion of pro forma revenues. More information is available at www.rayonieram.com.