Penn College News

Horticulture Grads Return to Judge High School 'Field Day' at ESC

Monday, March 25, 2013

Horticulture alumni turned out en masse to volunteer at the ESC: From left are Wyatt C. Phillips, Sandra M. Angstadt, Evan E. Mattos, Andrew J. Kaminski, Matthew D. Lowe, Daniel A. Endy, Dustin E. Zook, Cory M. Ferreri and Kyle B. Brown.The Schneebeli Earth Science Center's abundant surroundings provided more-than-adequate variety for the Plant Identification competition.Christine A. Fink, a nationally renowned member of the horticulture faculty, brought credible supervision to the Floral Identification contest. Alumni judges Sandra M. Angstadt and Dustin E. Zook hear a high school student's sales pitch.A student competitor employs aim, dexterity and luck in her attempt to lift an egg with her mechanical "spoon."

Seventeen students took part in the third annual Penn College High School Horticulture Field Day, held at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center during Saturday's Spring Open House. Seven students from Franklin County Career and Technology Center, six from Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, and four from Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School participated in seven competitions: Landscape Plant Identification, Hardscape Installation, Landscape Equipment Safety and Operation, Sales Presentation (of a provided landscape design), Floral Design, Corsage Contest and Floral Identification. Nine alumni returned to campus, working in conjunction with current landscape/horticulture technology students to act as judges. Field Days is based on a national event in which Penn College students participated two weeks ago in Alabama. "This is a way to bring some high school students on campus to showcase our program, talk to our graduates and let them know there are many career paths in the 'green' industry – and have some friendly competition where they can win some prizes and some recognition for themselves and their schools," said Carl J. Bower Jr., horticulture instructor.
Photos by Bower and Carol A. Lugg, coordinator of matriculation and retention, School of Natural Resources Management