College Stands Proud Amid 'Student Career Days' Competition

A team of Pennsylvania College of Technology's Landscape/Nursery Technology and Floral Design/Interior Plantscape majors recently competed in a variety of horticulture and landscaping events during "Student Career Days," held at the University of Maryland.

The team finished 25th among 56 schools including a number of four-year institutions that participated in the March 19-21 event, which was sponsored by the Professional Landscape Network (formerly the Associated Landscape Contractors of America). The students compete in events that are directly related to skills necessary in the horticulture/landscape contracting industry, while having the unique opportunity to meet prospective employers in the field.

"The students did a tremendous job showing the skills they've learned in the program. They faced stiff competition in all the events, but they did an incredible job . . . and showed professionalism, teamwork and the strong work ethic that our students are known for," said Carl J. Bower Jr., a horticulture instructor in the College's School of Natural Resources Management. "They had a great time, met a lot of good people in the industry and showed what Penn College can do. We couldn't ask for anything else." "Career Days" was attended by 19 Penn College students, 17 of whom competed in events that included identification of annuals and perennials, interior and exterior landscape design, pest management, irrigation assembly and wood construction. The group was accompanied by Bower and Dennis P. Skinner, assistant professor of horticulture.

Landscape/Nursery Technology students were: Candice R. Eggler, Loganton; Ryan K. Allar, Donaldson; Jeffrey A. Bingaman II, Millersburg; Kyle R. Gallardy, Altoona; Sean D. Walsh, Berwick; Andrew T. Marker, Lewistown; Brian J. Eastman, Lewisberry; Joshua T. Shedden, Canton RR 2; Mark A. Todd, Spring City; Andrew A. Wilde, Monrovia, Md.; Daniel J. Brant, Somerset; Alyson F. Buchman, Titusville; Benjamin D. Burrows, New Freedom; Angela M. Keefer, Chambersburg; and Deborah A. Fowler, Montoursville.

Floral Design/Interior Plantscape students were: Joann H. Wagner, Bloomsburg; Melissa A. Sitlinger, Herndon RR 1; Robin M. Martin, Lock Haven; and Lauren S. Hoderny, Erie.

More information about the event, often called "The Olympics of the Green Industry,"is available