Trinada Caro, Staff Writer
CHELAN – I felt it was important to “get the word out” on the Floral Design class after a lengthy conversation with educator Mr. Sibbers about our journey’s that brought us to beautiful Lake Chelan.
Bill Sibbers, Floral Design’s instructor, is in his fifth year of teaching after 37 years following opportunities with an international hospitality company (Sodexo). The Mirror asked Mr. Sibbers about his history and he said, “I had the goal of teaching since high school and earned a teaching certificate with a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Washington University and planned to direct middle school music - band, choir, or orchestra. After retiring I substituted for a year in Tacoma and landed a position at Oakland High School teaching exploratory music, music production as well as computer science and information technology. With very supportive administrators I quickly learned that the subject wasn't as important to me as helping kids succeed and that I could learn with them. Life-long learning continues at Chelan High School with the opportunity to work with students of Agriculture through Floral Design and Plant Science as well as CareerConnections. I appreciate Chelan High School's high standards and expectation to cultivate an environment of Motivation, Open-Mindedness, Respect, and Enthusiasm (MORE).''
Vianney Zamora-Blanco and Zuleima Davila-Rubalcaba were two of the Floral Design students who sold floral arrangements and wreaths recenlty at Chelan varsity basketball games. I was impressed by the items for sale so I purchased a wreath from them. Vianney and Zuleima are two of the students that represented the 20 students in that class. This is the first year that this class is being offered at Chelan High School. Floral Design is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course with a focus on agriculture business. They study Ikebana (the ancient art and philosophy of floral arranging), basic elements of modern design, floriculture, fresh handling techniques, and business basics. InFloral’s underlying principles include personal leadership skills and developing life-long learning habits of Curiosity, Creativity, Taking Initiative, Multi-Disciplinary Thinking, and Empathy. My students are kind, helpful, talented, and wonderful to work with.
According to the C.H.S. Course Catalog, “students will be given the opportunity to explore the retail flower business. This includes both business and actual labor of preparing fresh and dried flower arrangements while running a successful school business. Students will study history and design components while they prepare arrangements for community and school activities. Students will design, prepare, and market seasonal arrangements. F.F.A. activities will be incorporated into this class.”
Proceeds from the sales go directly back into the program for supplies. So if you have the chance to purchase an arrangement from these students and support a good cause don’t hesitate to seek them out.
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