Canada Blooms is the largest annual flower and garden show in the nation. Produced by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario, Canada Blooms directs its proceeds to educational and civic-improvement projects that add value and beauty to Ontario communities.
Canada Blooms 2004 has just ended, and a Conestoga College student has returned with first-place honours from one of the events included in the 14th annual Intercollege Floral Design Competition.
Mary Ann Dodsworth of Kitchener was one of a Canada Blooms team of six students from Conestoga's Retail Florist program. Three students took part in the theme design competition (The Tides of Time) and three in the bridal bouquet design. Dodsworth earned top spot for her bridal floral design, receiving a framed floral print, an award plaque and a red prize ribbon.
Since first entering competitions in 2002, Retail Florist students have never failed to bring home at least one top prize. A second team is preparing to head to Ottawa for competitions associated with the May 12-13 Tulip Festival.
Also part of the Canada Blooms team were students Helen Melles of Elmira and Karin Wendorf of Waterloo in the bridal bouquet event, and Kathy Antolick of Guelph, Anne-Marie Nymeyer of Drayton and Ann Stever of Ayr in the theme design event.
Retail Florist is a part-time program that combines floral knowledge
with design and business skills. It features six required courses, one
elective and two periods of workplace experience.
CONTACT: Gillian Oldfield, 519-748-5220, ext. 3634, goldfield@conestogac.on.ca