The Southmont FFA Floriculture judging team competed in the State Floriculture Judging Contest on April 27th, 2013. The team of Caylie Leclercq, Natalee Brann, Dani Alspaugh, and Cole Petty placed 1st in the contest for the sixth year in a row giving the school its 17th state title in Floriculture judging. There were 7 teams and 24 individuals competing this year. The team of Drake Davis, Megan Kincaid, and Alexis Todd placed 4th. The contest was held at the Central Nine Career Center located in Greenwood, Indiana. Each member of the state champion team will receive a $500 scholarship given by the Southmont FFA Chapter.

The Southmont team had six members in the top fourteen at the contest. Individually, Caylie Leclercq placed 1st, Natalee Brann placed 2nd, Dani Alspaugh placed 3rd, Cole Petty placed 4th, Drake Davis placed 6th, and Megan Kincaid placed 14th. This year’s floriculture contest was very competitive and tested the contestant’s knowledge and skills. The activities in the competition included a general knowledge exam on proper growth, plant care, management of plants; a problem solving exam; identifying 40 common house plants from a list of 125; and making a floral arrangement. These members also had to complete a face to face selling activity, complete a job interview, make a corsage, and complete a team activity. We are very proud of our members, they competed exceptionally well this year.