Philadelphia, Pa.--The Monmouth County Vocational School District Career Center display at the Philadelphia Flower Show has become a staple of the annual event, and this year’s student-created exhibit did not disappoint.
The Career Center won two blue ribbons with perfect scores of 100 in the Garden Class at the event, impressing judges with the students’ vision and execution. The exhibit also received several special awards, including the Penn Valley Garden Club Trophy presented to the outstanding blue-ribbon winner in the Garden Class, the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Sustainability Award, the Betty K. Greene Award and an award from the Herb Society of Philadelphia.
“Outstanding! Excellent execution! Staging and props perfectly placed; plant quality excellent; clever labeling; attention to detail,” one judge wrote.
“Wonderful attention to detail. Beautiful composition and plants. This garden ‘reads’ like a place I want to go,” another judge gushed.
The concept for this year’s Career Center display was “Gather & Grow Bookshop Garden.”
“Philadelphia’s Gather & Grow Bookshop transforms its courtyard into a sunny culinary community garden. The neighborhood garden and book clubs work together to invite the community to read, grow and harvest. Bug hotels, compost, upcycled containers and a growing wall celebrate sustainability as stories are shared within this spring garden.”
Students in the Career Center’s Horticulture Floral program have been working since the beginning of the school year to prepare this year’s award-winning display, but they weren’t the only ones involved. Students from the Center’s Horticulture Landscaping, Building Trades and Building Services programs all contributed to creating the display, according to horticulture teacher Jill Wetzel.
“Our students created a garden filled with thoughtful details, creativity, and imagination—designed as a place where any gardener would love to get lost with a good book,” Wetzel said. “Watching their vision come to life at the Philadelphia Flower Show has been incredibly rewarding.”
Career Center Floral Design Instructor Kristina Guttadora echoed Wetzel’s sentiment.
“Working alongside our students to create the artistic details of this garden has been incredibly special,” Guttadora said. “From the hand-drawn chalkboard art to the brick ‘book’ accents woven throughout the space, their creativity and imagination helped bring this bookshop garden to life.”
The Horticulture Floral program started participating in the Philadelphia Flower Show in 2021. The program first received recognition with its first blue ribbon in 2023 and has earned blue ribbons and special awards each year since.
MCVSD’s Career Center accepts students on a half-day basis from about 30 Monmouth County High Schools. It provides students with vocational instruction in 10 different career pathways. Those interested in applying to the Career Center program must work with their home school district and check www.mcvsd.org/o/ccs for more information.