A recent guest of Gloria Rhodes' Career Explorations seventh grade classes was Mrs. Carol McTier, owner and operator of The Garden Party. She stated that she became interested in growing plants at the early age of seven. When she visited her great aunt, she would admire her plants and take home so many cuttings that her room soon resembled a green house.

When she was 13, she was enrolled in the gifted program in her school in Thomson, and she was given the opportunity to choose an area of interest for her last quarter of that school year. Of course, McTier chose flora culture. She and two other students were taught a task at three local florists, and McTier was quickly offered a job at Walden Florist at the age of 13.

McTier brought a variety of flowers, which she identified for the students, and she detailed how the business, like any other, is always undergoing changes. In order to stay current with today's trends, she attends workshops with her wholesaler in Augusta several times a year.

Students got to participate in a hands-on task and the winner in each class received a whimsical arrangement, which she made on site. McTier also demonstrated how to create a more formal seasonal arrangement, which she presented to the teacher.

She shared with the students her educational background from the University of Georgia and that she was able to pay her way through college by working at an Athens florist and gift shop. Students learned that one's education and talent, as well as the area in which one works, plays an important role in determining hourly wages in floristry, ranging from $7.50- $55.00/hr., or even more. Many students were surprised to learn that being a florist is a high stress job, and certainly not one for "sissies," as it is also very physical, often requiring one to move 75-lb. candelabras, furniture in churches, etc.

Mrs. McTier presented each student a handout on the floral industry, as well as a bookmark and a business card from the Garden Party.

We want to extend our thanks to Mrs. McTier for sharing her time and talent with our students at W-WMS.