AFE Awards More Than $42,800 In 2018 Scholarships

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American Floral Endowment (AFE)has awarded 21 students with scholarships totaling $42,800. Eighty- seven applications were received for this 2018 scholarship cycle.

"We had many outstanding students apply for scholarships this year, which is why some scholarships were awarded to two recipients," said Dwight Larimer, AFE Chairman and Education Committee Chair.

"I'm proud to see the high quality of students each year and I enjoy granting scholarships to these well-deserved students to help them continue their education and become passionate industry leaders."

AFE awards scholarships annually and applications are due by May 1 of each year.

Scholarship descriptions are available at endowment.org/scholarships.

Below shows the scholarship, the amount awarded and this year's winner.
For a full description of each winner, please see this document.

American Florists’ Exchange – $2,500
Helena Dondero, California Polytechnic State

Armellini Scholarship – $2,300
Kelly Pohlman, University of Kentucky

Ball Scholarship – $1,100
Ruqayah Bhuiyan, University of Georgia

H. Bettinger Fund- $2,100
Megan Haresnape, Kansas State University

Bioworks Fund – $1,300
Leala Machesney, University of Maine

Bridenbaugh Fund – $500
Armando DeLoera Mejia, College of San Francisco

CalFlowers – $2,000
Roame Thatcher, College of San Francisco

Carew Fund – $2,100
Emily Teng, University of Hawaii

Carlson-Johnson Fund – $1,200
Matt Witemyre, Merritt College

Dedman Fund- $2,100
Kimberly Cooper, University of Georgia

Long Island Flower Growers Assn – $1,400
Sarah Snow, NY Botanical Garden School

Long Island Flower Growers Bob Gunther- $1,000
Jesse Friel, Farmingdale State College

Meister Fund- $4,300
Shea Keene, University of Florida

NGMA Fund – $600
Sean Tarr, Michigan State University

Novovesky Fund- $2,800
Lianna Smith, Tulane University

Ohlman Fund – $500
David Figueroa, Texas Tech University

Rathmell Fund- $3,600
Ariana Newton, West Virginia University

Seed Fund- $2,600
Erin Pfarr, Rutgers University

Tomasovic Fund- $1,100
Jennifer Desormeaux, Virginia Polytechnic

Tuinier – $4,900
Sean Tarr, Michigan State University

Van Namen Fund- $1,200
Cole Rider, Mt. San Antonio College

Vocational Funds – $1,600
Matthew Witemyre, Merritt College

About AFE

The American Floral Endowment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the floriculture and horticulture industry through funding research, educational grants and scholarships. Since 1961, more than $15 million has been funded in research and educational projects, and more than $2 million has been funded in scholarships and internships designed to attract and retain the future leaders of the industry. To learn more about AFE or make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.endowment.org.

Source: The American Floral Endowment