Each year, the floral industry celebrates and spotlights future leaders who take their education beyond the classroom through internship programs. In 2026, eight students are being placed through the Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program.

The programs provide students with hands-on industry experience while helping host companies develop future leaders in floriculture and horticulture. Interns expand their technical skills, gain professional connections and explore career opportunities within the industry.

Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Recipients

The Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program provides students the opportunity to gain practical floriculture and horticulture experience while training at commercial production greenhouses and nursery operations. Upon successful completion of their paid internship, students participating in a three-month program receive a $1,500 scholarship.

ELIA VACLAV

Internship: Three-month placement with Alaska Perfect Peony in Alaska.

Scholarship: $1,500.

Vaclav attends Texas State University and is majoring in horticulture. She hopes to expand her greenhouse knowledge and gain experience working with plants in new climates.

"I have a deep desire to travel and explore outside of Texas, and this internship is the perfect fit to help me get out and explore."

KARIGAN BENKO

Internship: Three-month placement with Altman Plants in California.

Scholarship: $1,500.

Benko attends Spartanburg Community College and studies horticulture. She is passionate about greenhouse production and hopes to continue growing her skills through hands-on learning.

"I am eager to improve my technical skills, gain real-world experience and better understand the daily responsibilities involved in floriculture careers."

MAYA OLIN

Internship: Three-month placement with Plantpeddler.

Scholarship: $1,500.

Olin attends Mississippi State University and majors in horticulture with a focus on floriculture. She hopes to build a future in floriculture production and gain more hands-on industry experience.

"I have a strong desire to 'keep my hands in the soil' and work on the more biological and practical aspects."

ETHAN FRENCH

Internship: Three-month placement with Altman Plants in Chicago.

Scholarship: $1,500.

French attends Colorado State University and studies horticulture. He is especially interested in tropical foliage production and greenhouse management.

"My passion for tropical plants has led to a curiosity about what goes on behind the scenes."

PAUL "PJ" CROCKER

Internship: Three-month placement with Altman Plants in Colorado.

Scholarship: $1,500.

Crocker attends California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and majors in agricultural business. He hopes to combine business knowledge with hands-on horticulture experience throughout his career.

"I discovered the values that have long guided me, those being community, education and plants."

ALEXANDRIA "ALLIE" STUCHLIK

Internship: Three-month placement with Altman Plants in Colorado.

Scholarship: $1,500.

Stuchlik attends Kansas State University and majors in horticulture. She plans to eventually open her own greenhouse business in her rural community.

"I would love to be able to return home and open a greenhouse business as a way of giving back to the community that supported me."

JOELLEN MERKLE

Internship: Six-month placement to be determined.

Scholarship: $6,000.

Merkle attends Iowa State University and majors in horticulture with an emphasis in greenhouse production. She hopes to gain experience with greenhouse operations in warmer climates and continue building her knowledge of commercial floriculture production.

"I would like to learn how decisions about growing are made across the country so I can be a well-rounded horticulturalist one day."

Mosmiller Internship Recipient

The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program places students at leading floral retail, wholesale or supplier businesses for 10 to 16 weeks, with a $2,000 scholarship upon completion. Mosmiller interns often hone floral design skills, learn the ins and outs of managing a floral business and improve customer service skills.

TAMARA OTTO

Internship: Placement to be determined.

Scholarship: $2,000.

Otto attends Texas A&M University and majors in agribusiness with a minor in horticulture. Through experiences at a flower farm, garden nursery and floral design programs, she has developed a passion for the floral industry and hopes to one day own her own floral shop.

"I am eager to see the floral world from a wedding florist's or retailer's perspective, for this would specifically be helpful as I pursue my future career goals of owning my own floral shop."