In the program’s second year – first in competition – Marietta FFA’s Floral Design class is
already producing winners. This year, three students entered homecoming mums in the
Oklahoma City and Tulsa State Fairs, and all three placed.
Senior Emily Faulkenberry entered in both fairs and placed 10 th at Tulsa. Junior Jazmine
Medina entered at OKC and placed first, and freshman Sarah Barrientos entered at Tulsa and
placed first.
The class is taught by Kelsi Kamesch.
“My goal for this course is to ignite a passion for the floral industry like Mr. Bazor has done with
his ag mechanics program,” she said.
Students in the class learn to work with both silk and fresh flowers, and learn how to design
their own floral arrangements, properly care for and handle flowers, and develop a skill set that
could qualify them for a job within the industry if they so choose.
“I realize that not everyone who takes the class will go on to become a florist,” Kamesch
explained, “but who knows? Even if it’s just something they do for a hobby, or a part-time job
during college, it’s worth it.”
For the fair winners, the reviews are mixed. Faulkenberry had never done floral arrangements
before, but finds she likes doing it. Barrientos sees herself continuing to make her own
arrangements through high school and maybe enjoying it later but admits she doesn’t see
herself with a career in the industry. Medina is a different story.
“I moved here from Texas, so I grew up on homecoming mums. I made mine last year in class,
and then Miss K. found out that we could enter them in the fair and encouraged me to, so I
did,” stated Medina. “We do other arrangements in class, like for Christmas, and last year we
sold Valentine’s Day arrangements for a fund raiser, so we will probably do that again.”
But Medina is also thinking ahead.
“I talked to Miss K. about maybe next year letting people order mums from me and I would
make them. I think making floral arrangements could be a business for me in the future.”
And since high school is supposed to prepare kids for their future, whether that’s post-
secondary education or stepping into the world of work, when a student finds that, it’s a win.
“These girls worked so hard on their arrangements, putting in a lot of long hours after school,”
Kamesh said, “and I’m so glad to see them learning that going above and beyond pays off.”