Top Honors in Statewide Floral Competition

Cal Poly’s Floral Design Team took home several top honors at the California State Floral Association’s 14th annual student competition, held Nov. 3 at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market.

All members of the four-person team placed in the top five. Freshman Kassidy Talbot, an agricultural and environmental plant sciences major from Woodland, California, placed second; sophomore Samantha Theodozio, a recreation, parks and tourism administration major from Atwater, California, placed third; sophomore Kiara Benavides, an agricultural science major from Woodlake, California, placed fourth; and freshman Madison Reaves, a dairy science major from El Cajon, California, placed fifth. Lecturer Melinda Lynch is the team’s advisor.

Students competed in two separate categories: a surprise package in which all competitors received identical materials but did not learn the theme until five minutes before the competition, and a student designer’s choice of an arrangement representing the preselected theme of “Flowers — A Visual Dialogue.” Students had 45 minutes to complete their designs.

About the California State Floral Association

The California State Floral Association (CSFA) has served the flower industry for almost seven decades, acting as a voice for florists, growers, wholesalers and retailers through governmental and industry relations. From mom and pop flower shops to growers, wholesalers and floral teachers and students, CSFA has helped its members navigate an ever-changing marketplace by uniting all segments of the industry.