The University of Missouri’s student chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) placed second overall in the 2026 National American Institute of Floral Designers Student Competition.
The group recently traveled to Orlando to attend the AIFD National Symposium. Students were able to take hands-on classes led by designers from around the world, volunteer with industry professionals, network for future careers and participate in the design competition.
The competition categories included arrangement, fashion flowers, flowers to carry and interpretive. Students are given their prompts for the categories the night before and a surprise package of fresh materials the morning of the competition. With one hour per category, CAFNR students created award-winning designs.
Individual placements are as follows:
- Emma Baepler (senior, agricultural leadership, communications and education)
- First Runner Up Overall Student
- Second Place, Arrangement
- Second Place, Flowers to Carry
- Fourth Place, Interpretive
- Gavin Bennett (senior, plant sciences)
- Winner, People’s Choice Award
- Sixth Place Overall Student
- Fourth Place, Arrangement
- Fifth Place, Fashion Flowers
- Grace Morris (junior, plant sciences)
- Fourth Place, Flowers to Carry
- Skyler Halloul (senior, plant sciences)
- Fourth Place, Fashion Flowers
- Seventh Place, Arrangement
- Sadie Tummons (sophomore, hospitality management)
- Seventh Place, Arrangement
- Riley Rupp (junior, natural resource science and management)
- 10th Place, Fashion Flowers
Lesleighan Cravens, an assistant teaching professor in the Division of Plant Sciences and Technology and the advisor for Mizzou’s student chapter of the AIFD, said the team is excited about their competition results. It comes after the team also placed second overall in last year’s competition.