FFA Students Participate in Floral Design Contest

Three FFA members from Chattooga County participated in the Area I Floral Design Contest held September 17^th at Etowah High School in Woodstock. Paeyton Blakenship from Summerville Middle School took top honors in the Junior Division and Julia Scruggs from Chattooga High School placed third. Haven Howard from Chattooga High School competed in the Sr. Division Contest. Paeyton will advance to the state competition to be held March 2011.  

The Junior Division consisted of a hands on skills test in which students created a three bud vase arrangement and boutonniere. The Senior Division consisted of a written exam, identification of florist plant and equipment and hands on skills test in creation of floral basket.

Agriculture education teachers and FFA Advisors are Lauren Jarrett, Summerville Middle School and David Yarbrough, Chattooga High School. Both teachers expressed their appreciation for Duff’s Flowers whose florists assisted with practice sessions and donated time and supplies for the students. Yarbrough said, “I am appreciative to the florists at Duff’s for helping us with this contest. It is beneficial for the students to work with an industry expert and see the real world application of the contest. Sue at Duffs expressed her concern for the need of young people entering into the floral industry and was a huge help with training the team” I would also like to personal thank Paulette who was wonderful with working with our Jr. competitor , Joe Money manager and Wayne Forbes owner.  

The competition is based on the educational objectives of the Georgia Agriculture Education horticulture curriculum and standard practices in the horticulture industry.  The purpose of the career development event is to connect students with what is taught in the classroom to practices utilized in the floriculture industry. Additionally the competition promotes academic achievement and competence for students who seek a future in horticulture industry. 

According to Jarrett, “I’m very proud of Paeyton and I am looking forward to working with her in preparation for the state contest.”

This event is one of the many educational activities in which the FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. The Georgia FFA Association has the third largest FFA membership in the nation with over 30,000 members.  FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.