FAIRFIELD, CA — Four Rodriguez High School students recently took top honors at a regional competition showcasing their knowledge of floriculture, the study of cultivating flowers.
Rodriguez High School’s FFA Floriculture Team placed fifth at UC Davis Field Day on March 8, competing with 100 other students on 33 teams.
The Floriculture team is part of the high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. The team competes at Field Day events throughout the region, which give students the opportunity to test their knowledge and skills against other teams from across the state.
"These girls are putting in a tremendous amount of effort, and it's giving them great results,” Floral team coach and Rodriguez High agriculture teacher Julia Brewer said. “They study daily, explore innovative methods to grasp the material, and possess a strong motivation to succeed. This field day served as the signal they required!”
Team members Lichelle Salvador, Savannah DeMartile, Charlotte Otis and Demitria McElroy completed four sub-contests to showcase their knowledge and skills. The team completed a written general knowledge test floral history and floral design; correctly identified cut flowers, potted plants, and tools; judged flower and plant arrangements; and created their own floral designs with fresh flowers.
In addition to the team’s overall fifth-place finish at the Field Day contest, the team had two top-five finishes in the sub-contest categories. As well, 11th grader Savannah DeMartile placed fourth overall, and senior Lichelle Salvador placed 10th overall.
Mrs. Brewer said she is extremely proud of her team’s accomplishments.
“I aim to provide them with every chance to succeed, and their desire to achieve is strong! In general, I am extremely pleased with how they have performed,” she said.