The OH floral design team earned first place at the state competition this past weekend, highlighting the strength of the school’s career and technical education program and the dedication of students who chose to compete.
“I think it shows that our investment in career and technology courses is where kids can learn skills that lead to careers after high school,” Floral Design Director Meegan McCarthy said. “In order to be eligible for the team, you have to have Floral Design I, where that shows you all the basic skills and things you need to know in order to be able to work in the shop.”
Students must complete Floral Design one before trying out for the competition team to learn foundational techniques and shop skills. In the weeks leading up to the state, team members participate in refresher training during class, after school, and whenever they are available to refine their designs and timing.
“I notice a big difference between kids who take classes in career and tech because they want to, not because they have to,” McCarthy said. “When they realize the skills they have developed, they want to show them off and get recognition by the school and go to competitions.”
Senior and Vice President, Carmela Arch, said that preparation plays a major role in the team’s success, especially because not all schools have the same opportunities.
“Every time we go to competitions, we practice what we’re going to make, and not a lot of schools have those advantages to practice because flowers are expensive,” Arch said. “Most of them deal with just horticulture and not flowers.”
Unlike programs that focus primarily on plant science, the OH floral design team works directly with fresh flowers, allowing students to practice full arrangements under competition conditions. According to Arch, hands-on experience makes a difference when it is time to perform under pressure.
Competitions require students to complete specific arrangements within a strict time limit, adding an element of stress.
“I think there’s a little nervousness in performing because you only get a certain amount of time to finish,” McCarthy said. “But we do it enough that I think they go into the competition feeling comfortable.”
Beyond technical skills, students said the program teaches valuable life lessons that extend past the classroom.
“I learned a lot of things from that class and club, even a lot of life things,” Arch said. “You need to know how to talk to people sometimes, how to price your stuff out. Even if you created your own business, you need to know the hands-on things.”
McCarthy said that the combination of creativity, business knowledge, and teamwork is what makes the program unique. Students not only design arrangements but also learn customer service, pricing, and real-world shop operations.
For Lily Roller, senior and team member, the experience also opened her eyes to potential career paths.
“It’s interesting to know that it’s an actual field people go into,” Roller said. “It makes you realize that what we do in class can really turn into a job one day.”
With another state championship added to the program’s record, both students and instructors say the win proves that career-focused courses can provide meaningful opportunities and real-world skills while allowing students to explore their passions.
Hi, I'm Poppy -- a high school student at OHS. Who is very passionate about biomedical science and aviation, who also enjoys creative projects and exploring new ideas. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
