FFA floriculture team recognized

RITZVILLE – The high schools Future Farmers of America chapter’s Floriculture Team is being recognized by the American Institute of Floral Designers.

Recognized team members are Annika Holland, Amy Anderson, Alexis Melcher, Alyssa Williams and alternate Klover Mullins.

According Principal Kevin Terris, the girls participated virtually in a workshop hosted by the group last January and applied for a scholarship to attend an institute internship during its national conference in Chicago.

In the application, the team included an essay, designs using elements and principals in the workshop and a video explaining what they learned and why they were deserving of the award.

The application earned the team a scholarship, Terris said.

“Because of COVID-19, the AIFD conference in Chicago was canceled; however, we just received news that the LR Floriculture team is one of the 4 recipients of the scholarship,” he wrote. “

AIFD is going to ship all the flowers and hard goods to our students and host a virtual internship with AIFD certified designers.”

According to the principal the scholarship will help the local floriculture team develop its skills and prepare the girls for a national competition in which institute designers will evaluate floral arrangements during the National FFA Convention.