Floral Design Show Raises Funds for Scholarships

Pennsylvania College of Technology's Floral Design Show, an event that featured the artistry of four alumni designers, grossed more than $4,000 recently to benefit student scholarships.

The invitation-only event, "The Colors of the Holidays," was attended by a crowd of 285 alumni, friends of the College and area garden-club members. Proceeds from the $10 admission cost as well as an auction of the designers' and students' creations will benefit the School of Natural Resources Management Endowed Scholarship Fund.

"This exciting annual event continues to grow and bring garden clubs, alumni and friends of Penn College together with top-notch floral professionals," said Dennis L. Correll, associate dean for institutional advancement. "Normally, you would have to drive as far as Harrisburg to experience this kind of professional floral demonstration. We are so pleased that the Penn College Alumni Association and the School of Natural Resources Management can make this opportunity available to nearly 300 people with an interest in floral design."

Serving as commentator for the event was Christine Fink, a floral-design instructor and floral-event coordinator at the College. Fink has more than 40 years' experience in the floral industry and is an American Institute of Floral Designers certified candidate. The premier designer for the show was Daniel Vaughn, owner-operator of Colonial Florist and Gift Shop, Mount Union, who serves as president of both the Pennsylvania Florist Industry Association and the Northeast Region of the AIFD. He is also a member of the American Academy of Floriculture.

The talents of four Penn College alumni designers were on display throughout the evening.

Michael Hasco earned a degree in Interior Plantscape/Floral Design and completed an internship at Longwood Gardens. He is working toward AIFD accreditation and is employed as a floral designer in Camp Hill.

Jason Narber holds degrees in Landscape/Nursery Management and Floral Design/Interior Plantscape. He is involved in the family business, Narber's Landscape and Floral, in Boalsburg.

Sharon Hostelley earned degrees in Floral Design and Landscape/Nursery Management and has worked as a floral designer in Hawaii and Tennessee.

Karen Ruhl, a nurse for 24 years, earned a degree in Floral Design/Interior Plantscape. She continues to work part-time as a nurse, but also is a designer in a retail flower shop and operates "Special Occasion Florals" from her home in Muncy.

For more information about the Floral Design/Interior Plantscape major at Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management, call (570) 320-8038, send e-mail or visit on the Web.