Students from Victoria East and West High Schools expanded the reach of advanced floral design classes over the course of the fall semester and plan to introduce a floral subscription service. The initiative is student-led and will offer them hands-on business experience and the opportunity to share their arrangements with a wide consumer base reaching beyond their campuses.

Students at Victoria East launched a monthly floral subscription offering seasonal arrangements. The òòò½ÊÓƵœTitan Bloom Boxòòò½ÊÓƵ subscription has featured Homecoming mums, wedding centerpieces, pumpkin arrangements and Grinch arrangements, all prepared by students at the school. A Valentineòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Day fundraiser featuring single-stem roses, bud vase arrangements and candy grams will be held through the monthly subscription in February.

The òòò½ÊÓƵœTitan Bloom Boxòòò½ÊÓƵ subscription gives floral design students at Victoria East practical experience operating a small-business. Students gain experience in marketing, budgeting and the horticultural care of flowers.

The monthly subscription hopes to expand its availability to community members and businesses. Students will arrange balloon arches for events and custom centerpieces for parties.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThe students planned and prepared every aspect of the subscription to resemble a small floral shop,òòò½ÊÓƵ Clara Henke, Victoria East Ag Science Teacher, said in a VISD communications press release.òòò½ÊÓƵTheyòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve watched their business grow, gaining invaluable skills and confidence that will last a lifetime.òòò½ÊÓƵ

Two floral programs, the Flower of the Month subscription for teachers and staff and the Warrior Blooms program, are offered by Victoria West High School. Flower of the Month was launched in Fall 2022 and gives staff eight floral arrangements with seasonal themes designed by students throughout the school year.

The newly introduced Warrior Blooms subscription gives students and families custom-designed arrangements created by students in the schoolòòò½ÊÓƵ™s floral design class. The program promotes collaborations between students and the development of business skills, according to the press release.

òòò½ÊÓƵœWith Warrior Blooms, students manage projects from start to finish, gaining real-world experience that enhances their skills and confidence,òòò½ÊÓƵ Amber Novosad, Victoria West floral instructor, said in the press release. òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a wonderful way for students to contribute to the community while applying what theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve learned.òòò½ÊÓƵ

The floral programs from both Victoria West and East are based in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum. Students are prepared for careers in floristry, event planning and more through this curriculum. Through the programs, students develop skills in design principles, flower handling, and business management. Opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications are available through the programs as well.

Subscriptions for programs at both Victoria West and East open at the beginning of each semester.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThese innovative programs not only foster creativity and entrepreneurship but also beautify our community one arrangement at a time, proving that floral design is about more than flowersòòò½ÊÓƵ”itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s about cultivating skills for a lifetime,òòò½ÊÓƵ according to the press release.

Michael can be reached at mmilliorn@vicad.com. Send education tips to this email.