Community connections are turning classroom learning into real-life learning and job skills for students in the Horticulture program, supervised by David Hamilton. Through a new arrangement with the JFK Center, a performing arts center and catering hall operated through Willingboro’s Parks and Recreation Department, students at GPA will have the opportunity to do floral design for local groups and organizations who rent the space for special events, parties, and conferences.
Last spring, as GPA was celebrating its 25th anniversary at the venue, event planners at JFK took notice of the beautiful floral centerpieces and expressed interest in having students from GPA make centerpieces for other events at the center.
Each week, students bring a custom arrangement to the center’s welcome desk. As guests at the venue see the creativity, quality and beauty of the students’ work, they are invited to contact GPA to arrange flowers for their own event.
Hamilton hopes the opportunity will lead to stronger community connections and real work experience that will help students land career-oriented work in the floral industry.
For years, students in the Horticulture program have been producing beautiful arrangements for events at the school, or to sell to school visitors.
“This new opportunity at JFK exposes our students to the challenges and joys of the floral business – and to some of the real-life business issues, like taking orders, meeting deadlines, and delivering beautiful products – that they might face when they graduate,” Hamilton concluded.
