Contact: Maridith Geuder
In a regional student competition of floral design skills, five Mississippi State University horticulture majors are bringing home the roses.
Freshman Emily N. Abbott of Vicksburg is overall winner of the Southern Chapter, American Institute of Floral Designers' challenge. She and the other MSU students received the honors during the organization's recent annual meeting at Callaway Gardens, Ga.
Senior Melanie P. Allison of Oxford won first place in the spontaneous floral design category.
Other MSU overall winners included junior Nicki East of Cedar Bluff, second place; senior Jennifer L. Forrest of Vicksburg, third place; and Sarah M. Roberts of French Camp, fourth place.
In addition to overall and spontaneous design, competition categories included "primavera" (the first of spring) and bridal bouquet.
The top four winners are eligible to participate in national competition July 3 in San Diego, Calif.
Allison, East and Roberts are enrolled in horticulture's retail floristry management specialty, while Forrest is pursuing a second degree in general business administration.
The retail floristy management curriculum was created more than two decades ago to help meet the employment needs of America's expanding retail floristry industry. The program remains the only one of its kind in the Southeast.
In addition to classroom work, students gain practical experience through work at a professional flower shop operated on campus by the department of plant and soil sciences.