CITY OF COMMERCE, CA –The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers received a total of 210 entries for the 2007 Fresh Wood Student Competition. This represents a 30% increase from the 2005 student competition and the largest amount ever entered in the competition.

The entries came from 31 schools in the U.S. and Canada, half of which are first-time entrants. Fifty-eight entries from 27 different post secondary and high schools have been selected to move on to the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas as finalists. Nearly half of the finalist schools selected are also first-time entrants.

Entries into the Fresh Wood Student Competition are placed into the following categories at each school level: casegoods, chairs, class project, open, production, reproduction and tables. Entries were rated by a panel of judges who represent five different aspects of the industry: design, education, manufacturing, retail and trade press. Final judging will take place on July 17 at the AWFS Fair, and the winners will be announced at the AWFS Gala Awards Dinner on Thursday, July 19, at the Las Vegas Hilton.