American River College’s floral department made its first appearance of the spring semester with arrangements made by the floral department for sale on Jan. 29th.

All of the proceeds made from sales are put into the horticulture funds, relieving floral students of their lab fees.

The floral arrangements are marked down three to four times the amount of retail flowers found at standard floral shops.

“Our rose arrangements would normally go for $25 in retail but here we sell them at $10 apiece,” said Kelly Anderson an ARC floral student.

Michelle Bull, a floral student, said that with each new week comes new flower design and that the prices range from five to 10 dollars.

“These are very low prices,” said Bull.

Student volunteers sign up each week and rotate accordingly to coordinate the weekly event.

Professor Tom Ursini, who teaches a few floral classes at ARC, also works at The Party Concierge, a company that offers a variety of event services including floral arrangements.

“Getting an internship is my goal but working at a place like The Party Concierge would be my dream job,” said Anderson.

There are four floral classes offered to students who would like to receive their certificate they include; intro to retail floristry, wedding/events, introduction to design and special occasions/funerals.

Bull hopes someday to have her own flower farm. Midori Lane, an ARC student who has her certificate in floral arrangement, is currently in an internship. Kelly Anderson has been working at weddings for the past several years and now plans to go professional.

The floral department runs this event every Thursday in front of the student center from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.