By Scout Nelson
In the vibrant world of floriculture, creativity blooms, especially for the talented FFA team from Wessington Springs. This group of diligent students, guided by their dedicated coach and the supportive community, has made significant strides in the national FFA floriculture contest held in Indianapolis.
Anna Arhart, a key team member, shares her enthusiasm for the design aspect of floriculture. "It allows you to let your imagination run wild and is a fun way to express creativity," she says, capturing the essence of what makes floriculture so engaging.The team's journey to the national stage was not just about arranging flowers.
They underwent rigorous training, including learning to identify a wide array of flowers and tools, a test of their business management skills, and tackling problem-solving challenges. Their comprehensive preparation paid off when they competed against more than 40 teams from across the U.S., securing a place in the bronze category.
Behind this success is Katie Jones, a coach who not only nurtured the flowers in her garden but also the potential in each team member. Katie's commitment involved early morning practices and providing numerous resources to ensure the team was well-prepared. "I focused on where we were losing points and made sure we improved on those in practice," Katie explains.
Her efforts are a testament to the community spirit of Wessington Springs, where investing in youth and community projects is a cherished value. This ethos is echoed by her daughter, Mercedes, and teammate Mariah Messmer, who emphasize the team's mutual support and encouragement as their formula for success.
The skills and discipline gained through their FFA experiences are invaluable, asserts Carissa Scheel, another team member, who sees her future in veterinary medicine. "Floriculture has taught me work ethic and perseverance, essential for competitive fields like vet school," she states.
Guiding them all is Brady Duxbury, the FFA adviser, whose passion for agricultural education shines as he reflects on his own FFA journey and the impact he hopes to have on his students. "Working with this team and their coach has been an honor," he remarks, proud of their achievements and growth.
This team’s story is not just about winning but about learning, growing, and succeeding together in the beautiful arena of floriculture.
Photo Credits:south-dakota-ffa
Categories: South Dakota, Business, General