Stephen F. Austin State University

Members of the Stephen F. Austin State University Horticulture Club participated in the J. Benton Storey Student Horticulture Competition at the southern regional meeting of the American Society for Horticulture Science in Dallas, Feb. 4.

The SFA club earned the first place Overall Team award as well as the Club Share award, which includes $100 for the team's travel expenses to Orlando, Fla., in July.

Six universities entered the competition, including SFA, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Murray State University, and Texas Tech.

"We couldn't be more proud of the way these students represent horticulture at SFA," said Dawn Stover, club adviser and research associate of agriculture.

Team members are Andrea Schroeder, Arlington senior; Iris Clawson, Houston senior; Christina Keim, Lubbock senior; and Chris Capps, Cypress junior. Bryan Deak, Houston senior, and Rebecca Pledger, Brenham freshman, both horticulture majors, participated as individuals.

In addition to the Overall Team Award, the team received the first place Woody Ornamentals Award and the second place Fruit and Nut Crops Team Award and Greenhouse Floral and Foilage Plants Team Award.

Individual awards went to Keim, earning first place in Woody Ornamentals and third place Overall Individual. Clawson earned third place in Woody Ornamentals, and Pledger earned second place in Vegetable Crops.

The American Society for Horticulture and Science conference is a gathering of researchers and teachers for workshops and meetings, and research paper and poster presentation.

For more information, contact Dawn Stover at (936) 468-4404 or by e-mail at dparish@sfasu.edu.