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Dallas Inmates Earn Ribbons at Bloomsburg Fair

Tags: Dallas
October 24, 2019 12:00 AM
By: Emily Koontz, DOC Intern

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This past month, SCI Dallas' horticulture program participated in the Bloomsburg Fair. A handful of inmates crafted unique arrangements, ranging from zinnia, celosia and marigold baskets to floral topiaries!

Before the fair, each student learns proper plant structure and floral designs. After paying the $2 entry fee, students send their creations to April Gromel, SCI Dallas horticulture teacher, who delivers the arrangements to the Bloomsburg Fair and collects the winning ribbons. This year, multiple students earned first place! Inmates earned the following:

  • 1st place (Best Zinnia Basket)
  • 4th place (Best Zinnia Basket)
  • 1st place (Best Celosia Crested Basket)
  • 1st place (Best Celosia Plumed Basket)
  • 2st place (Best Marigold Basket)
  • 2nd place (Elderberries)
  • 3rd place (Topiary Floral Arrangement) (Monarch butterflies)
  • 1st place (Creative Floral Arrangement) (Wreath)
  • 3rd place (Creative Floral Arrangement) (Cornucopia)
  • 4th place (Arrangement Depicting a Holiday) (Thanksgiving turkey made from a butternut squash) 

Since the fair is broadcasted, students watch the day unfold through the inmate circuit channel.

SCI Dallas' horticulture program not only allows its students to participate in the Bloomsburg Fair, but also promotes community outreach projects. From delivering poinsettias to nursing homes, to working with Wreaths Across America, an organization that places wreaths on heroes' graves, this horticulture program brings inmates together and positively impacts the community both inside and outside prison walls. In fact, just this year, students within the horticulture program has grown over 2,105 pounds of food for inmate meals.

Each year, students encourage one another when crafting and submitting their projects. It is a team-building experience for the students and teaches life skills, the importance of hard work and meeting personal, education goals.


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