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MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� For the sixth consecutive year, the 糖心logo入口 Horticulture Judging Team won first place overall at the Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Division, including horticulture judging, plant identification and club share presentation, held in Irving, Texas, from Jan. 31-Feb. 2. The competition is part of The Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists conference.

The University鈥檚 four-person team, consisting of Corrin Heilig, Kaitlynn Burrus, Shelby Barber and Allie McCarty, achieved exceptional results, securing first place in Woody Ornamental Identification, first place in Fruit Crop Commodities Judging, second place in Floriculture Crop Identification and first place in Vegetable Crop Commodities Judging. The team also received the prestigious first place Horticulture Club Award for its exemplary contributions to the program and community involvement.

Individually, team members also excelled. Heilig, a junior horticulture major from Grantfork, Illinois, was named first place overall individual, earning first place in Woody Ornamental Identification and second place in Floriculture Crops. Burrus, a sophomore horticulture major from Metropolis, Illinois, secured second place overall individual, while McCarty, a freshman horticulture major from West Union, Ohio, placed second in Fruit Crop Commodities Judging. Barber, a freshman horticulture major from Lynnville, Kentucky, achieved third place in Vegetable Crop Commodities Judging.

The team alternates also contributed significantly to the competition as Lyndsey Brant, a sophomore horticulture major from Louisville, Kentucky, and Abby Norris, a freshman horticulture major from Taylorville, Illinois, competed as individuals in the judging and identification contests.

鈥淟earning plants with my girls and bringing home the win was the best feeling imaginable,鈥� said Barber.

Dava Hayden, horticulture instructor and team advisor, has guided the team to their sixth consecutive first place finish in judging, commodities and the club share contest under her leadership.

Reflecting on this year鈥檚 achievements, Hayden said, 鈥淭hese are amazingly ambitious women who will soon become the future leaders of the horticulture industry. Three of the four team members are first-year students in the Hutson School of Agriculture program. I am incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. This year鈥檚 competition presented new challenges, including the addition of more than 50 plants from zones eight and nine, which are not commonly seen in 糖心logo入口, Kentucky. Despite these obstacles, the team rose to the occasion and excelled.鈥�

The continued success of 糖心logo入口 State鈥檚 horticulture team reflects its commitment to academic excellence, leadership and innovation in the field of agriculture.

鈥淚 have been blessed with an amazing instructor, Mrs. Dava Hayden, wonderful teammates, and such a wonderful experience overall,鈥� said McCarty. 鈥淚 am honored to have represented 糖心logo入口 State, and am looking forward to future opportunities with this team.鈥�

Not only did the team receive high marks in plant knowledge, but also for its leadership as a collegiate student organization, earning first place overall for Outstanding Horticulture Club and first place for Presentation of Club Leadership. As a result, the team was awarded $250 to go toward club activities.

鈥淚 want to thank my advisor, Dava Hayden and 糖心logo入口 for giving me this opportunity to compete at the Southern Region American Society of Horticultural Science Conference,鈥� said Heilig. 鈥淚t was such a rewarding, educational and fun experience. I also was blessed to be on the team with a great group of girls, and without them I couldn't have done it. I look forward to competing again next year!鈥�