Story by All-State journalism student Upneet Kaur

A gift every mother deserves.

As the school year wraps up, Princeton High School’s floral design students created arrangements in faux purse containers to give back to mothers in the community. They worked on the finishing touches for the 50 arrangements they pre-sold and finalized deliveries May 9.

“A couple of months ago, I came across the container,” floral design teacher Shalley Boles said. “I knew we needed to use this in floral design. What better time to use the purse container than on every family's favorite member?”

The arrangements feature garden roses, ranunculus, spray roses, waxflower, dusty miller, eucalyptus and Italian ruscus for a sale price of $40. Panther Petals, the school's floral shop, did not upcharge the arrangement to make a profit, so all “money’s worth” was spent on flowers.

“What I love most about flowers and arrangements is how they can express so much without saying a word,” Boles said. “There’s something special about being able to take different shapes, colors and textures and turn them into something beautiful that makes people feel something—whether it’s joy, comfort, love or appreciation. Plus, every arrangement is like its own work of art.”

Third-year floral design student Upkar Kaur said she couldn’t wait to work on an arrangement for her mother.

“I was super excited to work on arrangements for someone that’s so special in everyone’s lives,” Upkar said. “Everyone knows they love their mom, but as a teenager, it gets difficult to recognize her for everything she does. Flowers are one way I can celebrate my mom this year.”

Aside from Upkar, even first-year students appreciated the hands-on work in class.

“At first I wasn't really interested in the class, but as the weeks went on, I began to love the idea of working with flowers, and I had a lot of fun putting together our first arrangement,” junior and first-year floral design student Aubree Anderson said. “I like the teamwork aspect of working together to put together an arrangement and bouncing ideas off each other to make each one unique.”

Boles began teaching floral design at Princeton two years ago and started Panther Petals last year. She has taught Upkar and her twin, Upneet, from the very beginning and said they are a joy to have in class.

“They’re not only incredibly creative and hardworking, but they also bring so much fun and positive energy to the room,” Boles said. “Watching them grow together, each with her own unique personality and style, and push each other to new levels has been something really special.”

Upkaur describes their journey with Ms Boles as an “unforgettable experience” because not only were they sitting in Boles’ first floral class at Princeton, which was the first class to get the floral certification last year, but they will be the first to graduate from the practicum course.

“Completing the floral design program feels unreal,” Upkar said. “I can’t believe that we were able to be here when the program was literally starting, and we didn’t even have a floral cooler until now, when we have delivered arrangements outside of school for funerals, wedding receptions and birthdays. It just feels unreal.”

The Kaurs were also on Boles’ floriculture team for FFA’s Career Development Events that compete in the spring.

“Ms. Boles gave us this amazing opportunity, and knowing her, she’s probably giggling because if you knew us, you’d never put FFA and the twins together, but truly, being on her CDE team for the last two years has been great,” Kaur said. “We’ve made it to state both years, but this year was definitely hard without having her around to both help out the team or enjoy our state trip in Huntsville.”

Just after the second semester began, Boles had an unexpected family emergency and couldn’t be in her floral classroom working with students.

“Being away to care for my dad has been emotionally heavy, and while I’m grateful for the time with him, it’s hard being away from something I care so much about,” Boles said. “Just starting to plan things again - like this floral arrangement project - made me feel more connected and excited to return.”

Even though the school year is about to end, Boles said she still wants her students to work with flowers, especially because of what they’ve missed out on in her absence.

 “Doing the Mother’s Day floral arrangements feels like a great way to give them some hands-on experience before the year ends,” Boles said. “It’s something fun, creative and meaningful, and I hate that they’ve missed out on that kind of learning. This is a chance to bring a little bit of that back.”

Students like Anderson, who joined Floral Design 1 to get a chance to work hands-on with flowers, agrees with Boles.

“I think it's a good opportunity for students to make a floral arrangement for their mothers if they choose to purchase one,” Anderson said. “I know that for my mother, homemade gifts mean more to her as they come from the heart and are not just simply purchased from Walmart.”

With the floral classroom full of flowers going out to the community’s mothers, Upkar said she always looks forward to the best part - seeing the smile on every recipient’s face.

“Every month, I look forward to one thing, delivery day,” Upkar said. “If there is any advice I want to give to anyone who comes across Ms. Boles’ floral classes, it's this: No matter how stressful and tiring it gets, it’s all worth it when you see the impact you make on the community. Every month, I get to see that great big smile on our subscribers’ faces, and know that if I’ve done something right in high school, it’s being a part of this program.”

            After gaining experience from working with flowers, there is always something Boles wishes her students leave with.

            “I hope they use the things learned in class when doing flowers for their home or special events,” Boles said. “It makes me so happy to know that what I do each day has helped students plan/create their future.”

            By working with flowers this Mother’s Day, students gained insight into creating arrangements for loved ones on any occasion.

            “I have personally purchased four of these beautiful arrangements: my mom, two sisters and sister-in-law,” Boles said. “Moms are the gentle force behind our every success, guiding us through life. We appreciate the moms in our lives each day, but especially on Mother’s Day. I hope my mom and everyone else who receives our designs feel the appreciation and gratitude for the love and guidance they show us all.”