MSU students capture Southern floral design honors

Contact: Sammy McDavid

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Four Mississippi State seniors are top winners in regional floral design competition.

All members of the university's American Institute of Floral Design campus chapter, the students received first-place awards for demonstrating an advanced understanding of professional design principals and elements.

The MSU team was among about 100 students, faculty members and floral professionals recently attending the organization's Southern conference in Kingsport, Tenn.

Linda L. Holland of Starkville was the overall winner. An ornamental horticulture major, she also won first in the Corsage and People's Choice categories.

By virtue of her win, Holland is receiving an approximately $500 scholarship to cover the cost of registration and competition expenses at the national AIFD national convention this summer in Washington, D.C.

Other regional winners and their specific design categories included Dawn Cotton of Decatur, Designer's Choice Award; Amanda R. Glenn of Ashville, N.C., Flowers-to-Carry Award; Adrian E. Howell of Mobile, Ala., Sympathy Design Award; and Jena Oh of Starkville (and Seoul, South Korea), Everyday Centerpiece Award.

All are retail floristry management majors but Howell, who is majoring in business management.

Lynette McDougald, manager of the MSU Florist and a horticulture instructor, is the chapter adviser.

LOCAL EDITORS: Amanda Glenn is the daughter of William and Julie Glenn [residential ZIP 28806]; Dawn Cotten, the daughter of Hilliard Cotton; and Adrian Howell, the daughter of Pamela Howell [ZIP 36575] and the late Lee Howell. Parent names for Holland and Oh are not listed.