On February 21 and 22, we were at Western Kentucky University for our Student Competition Weekend. Roger Dennis AIFD, is the student advisor and served as a wonderful host for the weekend. All the events took place at the “Flower House” on campus, where he teaches classes and labs.
On Saturday morning we had rotating workshop stations with students. They were taught many techniques and got to make something in each class:
· Terry Godfrey AIFD, taught about flower crowns using a crochet method for the base.
· Michael Whaley AIFD, taught a class on centerpieces focusing on basing technique.
· Aisha Crivens AIFD, taught a class on making bouquets using collaring and sheltering techniques.
Saturday evening we had dinner and 10 WKU students were pinned with their SAIFD chapter pin.
The competition was held with 14 students on Sunday morning. We had 4 categories consistent with the AIFD national competition:
· Sympathy: An arrangement for a cremation table at the funeral home for a female musician who really took pride in uniting her community through her music.
· Flowers to Wear: Modern boutonniere for the featured artist attending an art gala.
· Flowers to Carry: Bridal bouquet for a bride who is looking for a bouquet that has geometrical shape since she and her husband are both mathematicians. Something that is small and compact that will not get heavy throughout the evening.
· Arrangement: An arrangement for a garden club member who has a prized linear garden that is hosting a party to welcome some of its newest members.
A team of guest AIFD members served as judges and awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for each category and overall winners for the competition. Judges were: John Kittinger AIFD, Brenda Blackburn AIFD, Michael Whaley AIFD, Donny Johnson AIFD and Jamie Hayre CFD.
After the competition, Terry Godfrey AIFD did a program on armatures. After the program we announced the winners and talked to the students some more about their work and wrapped up the weekend.
We had a great turnout, everyone had a great time and we have already been invited back for next year.
Awards:
Sympathy:
· 1st place: Hope Reed
· 2nd place: Amber Carroll
· 3rd place: Sara Barrens
Flowers to Wear:
· 1st place: Hope Reed
· 2nd place: Hannah Price
· 3rd place: Shelby McMilliams
Flowers to Carry:
· 1st place: Rosie Hunt
· 2nd place: Hope Reed
· 3rd place: Hannah Price
Arrangement:
· 1st place: Hope Reed
· 2nd place: Kathryn Sims
· 3rd place: Amber Carroll
Overall Winner of the Competition:
· 1st place: Hope Reed
· 2nd place: Hannah Price
· 3rd place: Rosie Hunt
· 4th place: Amber Carroll
· 5th place: Kathryn Sims