Texas Floral Endowment: Press Releases
Media Contact: Michelle Karns CAE
Texas Floral Endowment Scholarships Provide $7,100 in Funding for Floral Education
LEANDER, TEXAS (May 31, 2024) — The Texas Floral Endowment (TFE) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2024 TFE Scholarship recipients, who will be recognized at the Texas Floral Forum in San Antonio on June 21-23. Totaling $7,100, the 13 scholarships will help increase access to educational opportunities for floral industry professionals throughout the state.
“This year’s recipients demonstrate an admirable desire to increase their floral knowledge and skill,” said TFE President Gayle Johnson TMFA. “They have bright futures within the industry and great promise to uphold the qualities exemplified by the remarkable individuals in whose honor many of these awards were established. The TFE Board of Directors extends its heartfelt appreciation to each donor whose generous contributions make these scholarships possible.”
2024 TFE Scholarship Recipients
- Tubby Adkisson Educational Scholarship, $800
Kailey Dixon
- Kassie Baker Memorial Scholarship, $300
Tyler McCoy
- Society for the Advancement of Floral Design Career Change Scholarship, $500
Wenceslao Jimenez-Torres
- Freytag Family Educational Scholarship, in Memory of Ann Hobbs, $1,200
G. Alan Masters
- Floral Teacher Educational Scholarship in Memory of Becky Burt, $500
Ashley Bishop TMF
- Cross Family Educational Scholarship, in Memory of Jane and Mark Knox, $500
Rebecca Sullivan
- TSFA Past Presidents Scholarship, $500
Ashley Bishop TMF
- Judy Rutledge Memorial Scholarship, $500
Wenceslao Jimenez-Torres
- TSFA Floral Event Registration Scholarship, $300
Keely Villa
- Gina Waters Memorial Scholarship, $500
Kailey Dixon
- Don and Nancy Wharton Memorial Scholarship, $500
Becki Koepke
- Sheri White Memorial Scholarship, $500 each
Miriam Carmona and Stacy Peek
Those interested in future scholarships may consider applying for the 2025 funding cycle, which will open in December. To support the future of floral education, please consider making a donation to the endowment today or participating in TFE’s planned giving program.
Media Contact: Michelle Karns CAE, Texas State Florists’ Association Executive Director
512-528-0806 or via email at mkarns@tsfa.org
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The Texas Floral Endowment (TFE) was established in 1991 to encourage, support and promote career opportunities in the floral industry through the advancement of public and high school education and by providing financial resources through charitable contributions. For more than 33 years, TFE has fostered education and cultivated future generations of floral industry professionals. Learn more and get involved at tsfa.org/abouttfe.
View TSFA Press Releases
Texas State Florists' Association Certifies High School Students in Floral Design
Retail florists are always looking for floral designers who know how to create the basic designs needed in a shop on a daily basis.
The Texas State Florists' Association has begun to fulfill this need by developing the Texas High School Certification program in 2004. This certification program allows school districts to provide more value to their diploma and helps provide young, enthusiastic floral designers meet the retail florist needs!
In early spring, 59 high school students from across Texas traveled to the Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas along with their AgScience Teachers, prepared for their certification testing.
Requirements for the certification were enrollment and completion of the year long Texas Education Agency approved floral design curriculum and passing a Texas State Florists' Association approved written exam and the design of two floral pieces in a timed setting.
Of the 59 students registered, 51 students were testing with scholarship funds provided by The Meinders Foundation in Oklahoma and administered by the Texas Floral Endowment.
The students received their Texas High School Floral Certification and were recognized at the Texas State Florists' Association Annual Convention, July 2007 in Austin, Texas. These students are now prepared for an entry level position in a retail flower shop.
For further information, contact the Texas State Florists' Association, PO Box 140255, Austin, Texas 78714, (512) 834-0361.
TSFA Honors 2007 Texas Master Florist Graduates and Advanced Graduates
The Texas State Florists' Association honored thirteen new Texas Master Florists' Graduates during TSFA's 94th Annual Convention and Trade Show held in Austin, Texas in July.
These new graduates join a select group of professionals who have made a commitment to individual excellence within the floral industry.
Congratulations to the following:
Patricia Barksdale TMF; Callie Berger TMF; Yvonne Bishop TMF; Elaine Carrell TMF; Kim Childress TMF; Brenda J. Clark TMF; Crystal Crain TMF; Maria Christina Desai TMF; Joann Escobar TMF; Lauren Foote TMF; Carolyn M. Fralix-Gold TMF; Lezlie Fuller Rowe TMF; Theresa Guerrero-Garris TMF; Felecia Heintz TMF; Pam Kempen TMF; Kimberly Larson TMF; Mary McCarthy TMF; Mike McManners TMF; Kylee Millican TMF; Chong H. Park TMF; Nicola Parker TMF; Veva Shepherd TMF; Rory Thacker TMF; Anna Tong TMF; and Shanna Watson TMF.
The Texas Master Florists' Advanced Certification is one of the most comprehensive educational programs offered in the floral industry. This unique opportunity is designed for members who have already obtained the prestigious Texas Master Florist designation.
The Texas State Florists' Association honored the seventh graduating class.
Congratulations to the Following graduates:
Nora Cisneros TMFA; Sylvia Gibson TMFA; Pamela Hightower TMFA; Kaywin Kubesch TMFA; Mary Mueck TMFA; and Laura Williams TMFA.
These Certified Florist Programs are one of the most comprehensive educational programs in the floral industry, providing a standard of professional excellence recognized throughout the industry. The Texas State Florists' Association makes the program available to all Associations and Organizations. For more information on how your Association can offer this program, please telephone the TSFA office at (800) 375-0361.
2007 Texas State Florists' Association Achievement Award Winner & Hall of Fame Recipient
The Texas State Florists' Association's most prestigious award, the TSFA Achievement Award, was awarded at TSFA's 94th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Austin, Texas in July 2007 to Debbie Gordy AAF, TMFA of Comptons' Florist, LaPorte, Texas.
Debbie was commended for her outstanding leadership, dedication and unselfish service to the Texas State Florists' Association and the floral industry.
TSFA's Hall of Fame Award recognizes a company or organization that has contributed to TSFA's advancement. Weatherford Farms, Inc in Stafford, Texas was the 2007 recipient.
2006 Texas State Florists' Association Achievement Award Winner & Hall of Fame Recipient
The Texas State Florists' Association's most prestigious award- the TSFA Achievement Award was awarded to Herman Meinders AAF of Oklahoma City, OK at TSFA's 93rd Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas on July 23, 2006.
Herman was commended for his outstanding leadership, dedication and unselfish service to the Texas State Florists' Association and the floral industry.
TSFA's Hall of Fame Award recognizes a company or organization that has contributed to TSFA's advancement. The Texas Floral Endowment a 501(c) 3 charitable organization was presented with this year's award. Accepting on behalf of the TFE was current President James L. Johnson AAF AIFD TMFA, Benz School of Floral Design, College Station, Texas.
Sincere Congratulations are extended to Herman Meinders and Texas Floral Endowment.
Texas State Florists' Association Certifies High School Students in Floral Design
Retail florists are always looking for floral designers who know how to create the basic designs needed in a shop on a daily basis.
The Texas State Florists' Association has begun to fulfill this need by developing the Texas High School Certification program in 2004. This certification program allows school districts to provide more value to their diploma and helps provide young, enthusiastic floral designers meet the retail florist needs!
In early spring, 51 high school students from across Texas traveled to the Texas State Florists' Association Education Center in Austin along with their AgScience Teachers, prepared for their certification testing.
Requirements for the certification were enrollment and completion of the year long Texas Education Agency approved floral design curriculum and passing a Texas State Florists' Association approved written exam and the design of two floral pieces in a timed setting.
Of the 51 students registered, 34 students were testing with scholarship funds provided by The Meinders Foundation in Oklahoma and administered by the Texas Floral Endowment.
The students received their Texas High School Floral Certification were recognized at the Texas State Florists' Association Annual Convention, July 23, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. These students are now prepared for an entry level position in a retail flower shop.
TSFA Honors 2006 Texas Master Florist Graduates and Advanced Graduates
The Texas State Florists' Association honored thirteen new Texas Master Florists' Graduates during TSFA's 93rd Annual Convention and Trade Show held in San Antonio, Texas in July.
These new graduates join a select group of professionals who have made a commitment to individual excellence within the floral industry.
Congratulations to the following:
Arthur Chung TMF, Darryl Murchison Design, Houston, TX; Debra K. Edge TMF, Flower Girls, McKinney, TX; Rebecca Frazier-Smith TMF, Floral Design by Rebecca, Austin, TX; Kelly Fouts TMF, KaBloom, San Antonio, TX; Beth Jamieson TMF, San Antonio, TX; Meredith Lejsal TMF, Bloomer Boutique, Pearland, TX; Heather Lutrick Olson TMF, Lutrick's Florist, Kyle, TX; Crystal Maddox TMF, Adams Florist of DeSoto, DeSoto, TX; Rebecca Martinez TMF, Devereaux Gardens, Victoria, TX; Emily Mize TMF, Post Oak Florist, College Station, TX; Cyndi Sharp TMF, Bloomers Florist, Tomball, TX; Deanna Steubing TMF, D's Creations, San Antonio, TX; Cody Williams TMF, College Flowers, Lubbock, TX.
The Texas Master Florists' Advanced Certification is one of the most comprehensive educational programs offered in the floral industry. This unique opportunity is designed for members who have already obtained the prestigious Texas Master Florist designation.
The Texas State Florists' Association honored the sixth graduating class.
Congratulations to the Following graduates:
Lila Baxter TMFA, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; Annaleisa Boggs TMFA, Country Cottage Florist, Mount Pleasant, TX; Gina Marie Sanchez TMFA, The Central Market, San Antonio, TX; Sheri White AAF TMFA, Botanical Designs by Montgomery, Baytown, TX.
These Certified Florist Programs are one of the most comprehensive educational programs in the floral industry, providing a standard of professional excellence recognized throughout the industry. The Texas State Florists' Association makes the program available to all Associations and Organizations. For more information on how your Association can offer this program, please telephone the TSFA office at (800) 375-0361.
