LONGVIEW, Texas — Valentine's Day just passed, a time when florists rake in profits. But for the Longview Independent School District, floral arrangements aren't just a seasonal gig. They're a year-round educational pursuit.
At Longview High School, students are diving into the world of flowers, learning not just how to appreciate them but also how to turn that appreciation into a potential career.
"I plan to open my own flower shop one day," Longview High School Senior Christian Cruz said.
Cruz is among the students participating in the district's specialized Career and Technical Education classes focused on floral design.
"I've been lucky to have the opportunity. I've enjoyed it. I really try to value my time here," Cruz said.
The students gain hands-on experience by crafting floral arrangements for Lobo Blooms, a monthly in-house floral subscription service.
"We offer it to our teachers where they get a flower arrangement once a month, and we work on those arrangements monthly," Cruz said.
Callie Faul, the floral design teacher at Longview High emphasized that beyond the technical skills, this experience fosters an appreciation for nature among students.
"Just getting out of the classroom and being able to see all of the different flowers, being able to see all of the different plants and realizing what's in their backyard of Longview," Faul said.
Looking ahead, the class is gearing up to create arrangements for upcoming holidays and will handle the floral needs for the district's fine arts banquet at the end of the year.
Upon graduation, these students will possess the skills needed to thrive as professional florists, turning their passion for flowers into a blossoming career.