Students from Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, and Nipomo FFA gather in front of whimsical trees and giant butterflies that will be part of the Rose Parade floats on Jan. 1. (Courtesy photo)
Students from Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, and Nipomo FFA gather for a photo and show off some of the butterflies they have created for Rose Parade floats. (Courtesy photo)

More than 100 students and agriculture teachers from Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, and Nipomo FFA recently joined Kiwanis International and the Phoenix Decorating Company to help prepare floats for the Rose Parade.

Several students sit on the floor cutting purple statice flowers into tiny pieces for use on Rose Parade floats. (Courtesy photo.
Several students cut purple statice flowers into tiny pieces for use on Rose Parade floats. (Courtesy photo.

This hands-on opportunity brought the students close to one of the most celebrated floral events in the world, and aligned with their educational goals in floral design and community service.

Local students were part of a team of more than 200 volunteers at the event at Phoenix Decorating Company’s facilities in Irwindale, California.

They spend the day, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., meticulously preparing flowers, creating intricate butterfly designs, and contributing to the float decorations that will be seen millions of viewers during the Pasadena Tournament of Roses on New Year’s Day.

The participating local students enrolled in Floral Design and Advanced Floral Design, applied their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. Their work counted toward community service hours, essential for their final grades, and showcased their dedication to detail and teamwork.

A student carefully glues down yellow kernels to decorate the wings of a yellow and green butterfly as part of a Tournament of Roses float. (Courtesy photo)
A student carefully glues down yellow kernels to decorate the wings of a butterfly that will be part of a Tournament of Roses float. (Courtesy photo)

“Our students did an exceptional job working together and carefully implementing the designers’ vision,” said Tyler Dickinson, Pioneer Valley FFA advisor. “Their commitment impressed the lead florist, earning us an invitation to another design day during the final stages of float preparation.”

“I was blown away by the grand scale of the floats and the incredible attention to detail in every component,” said student Jenna Ramirez. “It was fun working with other floral design students, and I’m proud of the work our team contributed.”

This first-time experience for these students not only aligns with the FFA motto “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve,” it also expands horizons for potential careers in the floral industry.

Working alongside Phoenix Decorating Company, a leader in float construction since 1985, provided a glimpse into the creative and technical expertise involved in large-scale floral design.

The event also underscored the value of Career and Technical Education (CTE), immersing students in industry-level projects and skill development.

By fostering teamwork, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment, the workday helped students connect their classroom learning to broader traditions and career opportunities, Dickinson said.

The students’ contributions to the Rose Parade will be on view Jan. 1, in the floats they create.