A person may never know where they will find inspiration. They might find it in a book, in a favorite song or in a classical movie. Or, they just might find it in nature.

Junior Caraline Cowdrey has diligently worked on a project inspired by her horticulture class for the better part of two months. From sketches in a notebook to brainstorming sessions with her horticulture teacher, Jim Allsup, Cowdrey sought inspiration and ideas that would reflect her tastes and interests in the tropics along with her personal growth as a student who is about to embark on her final year of high school.

“The contest consists of picking out a container, the flowers in the container and taking care of it just as you would any other project in the FFA, including daily care, even though it is a plant,” Cowdrey said.

When Cowdrey needed guidance on the finishing touches, she only had to step into the greenhouse where she would find Allsup.

“Being able to help students in any way I can is why I am an agriculture teacher, but being able m to help students like Cowdrey in something that I am passionate about is the highlight of my career,” Allsup said.

The foremost idea throughout the FFA organization is learning lessons while performing tasks such as a project in the horticulture field to use in the future.

“Hard work, dedication and time management are principles that I can use throughout many aspects of my future,” Cowdrey said.

Her hard work paid off this past March when Cowdrey was awarded Grand Champion for her horticulture project at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. For Cowdrey, the success was the icing on the cake.

“I was very surprised. I didn’t expect that outcome, especially with so many people working toward the same goal as I was,” Cowdrey said.

The real prize was the process. From deciding on the type of container, to her choice of flowers, and the final presentation, Cowdrey was able to symbolize her own personal growth through her floral design.

“I was able to see that my life was just as the flowers that I used, growing and headed in a new direction,” Cowdrey said.

Along with the win Cowdrey received a $1000 scholarship for college.

“Being able to accomplish the win along with a scholarship has been a long shot dream of mine,” Cowdrey said.

In the future, Cowdrey has ambitions of attending Tarleton State University and majoring in horticulture.

“I decided with this win that I would like to study horticulture, hopefully having a future career relating to the field,” Cowdrey said.