I wanted to send a SHOUT OUT to all teachers and staff in our school district that have helped develop this group of young ladies from elementary school all the way up. Some of the skills you helped develop that were essential to this group of students included Math knowledge, ability to memorize, problem solve, work as a team, process information and make a decision and being patient with yourself.
I am so excited to announce that Mount Baker FFA Floriculture team earned 1st place out of 18 teams at the State FFA Floriculture CDE in Castle Rock, WA and earned the opportunity to represent Washington State in Indianapolis, Indiana next fall at the National FFA Convention. Sophia Patten was the 1st high individual, Emma Cook placed 3rd, Lillian Petersen placed 5th, and Piper Estabrook placed 14th with a combined total score of 2897, which is the highest any team has placed at a floral contest this year.
There are many moving parts to the Floriculture CDE including taking a 50 question multiple choice knowledge test from a 250 question test bank, which included answering a 20 question problem solving test (half math questions and half knowledge of the floral industry) and identifying 50 plants and tools from a list of 225 possible items. They also completed a specific skill in the floral industry in the form of a practicum, which is worth 50 points each. Sophia created a taped corsage (earned 50/50 perfect score), Emma interviewed for a job in the floral industry (earned 49/50 points), Lillian created a contemporary floral arrangement (earned 43/50), and Piper created a mixed planter combo (earned 45/50). All practicums were also judged by professionals in the floral industry. For their team activity they also had to create a plan for a floral event and present that to a group of judges for a possible 200 points.
Thanks again for helping to develop these young ladies and if you still have a connection with them or their families feel free to wish them good luck as they go on to compete again Floriculture teams across the nation next fall. It was a pretty AWESOME experience for them to win at state, and to have every other team present sincerely congratulate them on their success.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your school year and thanks again for developing students through each grade level and supporting our Mount Baker FFA program each year.
Sincerely,
Tamara Whitcomb, Mount Baker Agriculture Teacher
