ALEXANDRIA, VA – September 21, 2020 – The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has awarded 15 students with scholarships totaling $38,500. Fifty-nine applications were received for this 2020 scholarship cycle.
“We had many overachieving students apply for scholarships this year, which is why some scholarships were awarded to more than one recipient,” said Greg Royer, Chairman of the Education Committee. “I’m proud to see the high quality of students each year, and I enjoy being a part of granting scholarships to these well-deserved students encouraging them to 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.
American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship — $2,400
James Bridenbaugh Memorial Scholarship — $500
Recipient: Jordyn Silva – Modesto Junior College
Entering her freshman year at Modesto Junior College, Jordyn Silva is majoring in agriculture business with a minor in environmental horticulture. Silva was active in FFA throughout high school and served as vice president in her senior year. “My main crop focus is different types of flowers, foliage, and greenery,” said Silva. “My career goal is to have my own floral business and have a farm to grow all the flowers that would be used in my designs.”
The Original Los Angeles Flower Market was established in 1921 and is now part of the largest wholesale flower district in the U.S. Scholarship recipients are juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, majoring in agriculture with an emphasis on a future in floriculture. The American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship provides tuition assistance to students attending a college or university in California or student residents of California attending a college or university in other areas of the U.S.
Jim Bridenbaugh was a specialist in fresh flowers and plants, designing and commentating at design shows and seminars. His floral industry knowledge, comedic storytelling, and audience rapport made him a favorite. He served as President of OFA from 1989 to 1991. The James Bridenbaugh Memorial Scholarship is for sophomore, junior or senior students who are pursuing a career in floral design and marketing of fresh flowers and plants.
afe@endowment.org | www.endowment.org
Phone: (703) 838-5211 | Fax: (703) 838-5212
Contact: Karin Krause
(703) 838-5211 | communications@afeendowment.org
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 $16 million has been funded in research and educational projects, and more than $3 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 how you can support floriculture programs, visit www.endowment.org.
