November 10, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melinda Lynch
805-756-7504; mlynch@calpoly.edu
Floral Team Flourishes for Fourth Consecutive Year
SAN LUIS OBISPO - For the fourth time in as many years, the Cal Poly National Floral Design Team finished in the top three in the American Institute of 
Floral Designers (AIFD) national student competition. The competition was held in San Francisco during the AIFD Symposium.
The annual competition garnered entries from 52 students representing 15 schools.
Individual honors included: Alexis Watkins (Horticulture and Crop Science) placed eighth in the Sweetheart Table Centerpiece and 10th in the Bridal Bouquet; Jaclyn Wiley (Horticulture and Crop Science) took 10th place in the Buffet and Napkin Ring Décor categories; Darci Malone (RPTA) placed 12th in Bridal Bouquet; and Carrie Nasby (Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration) placed 14th in Napkin Ring Décor.
“This year was special because three of the four students had never competed at a national level before,” said team coach Melinda Lynch, Horticulture and Crop Science Department faculty member. "I am proud of their accomplishments, designing under the pressure of competition.”
Cal Poly placed third in the Overall School Award, which combines wins from the competition's four categories. The team placed third in 2008, second in 2009 and first in 2010. After the competition, the bouquets and flowers were donated to local hospitals.
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