JJC Horticulture Students Excel at Great Lakes Floral and Event Expo

Four Joliet Junior College (JJC) horticulture students attended and participated in the 2025 Great Lakes Floral and Event Expo (GLFEE) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with two finishing in the top five in the design competition.

orange floral arrangement with text in top left corner: 2nd place college/novice division Abbey Thumm Joliet Junior College Joliet, ILLast year’s third-place winner in the novice/college level of the GLFEE design competition, Abbey Thumm, earned second place with her entry.

“This year, my confidence grew significantly, and I owe a lot of that to the support and encouragement from my peers,” Thumm said. “I've made huge strides as a designer since last time, honing my skills and exploring new techniques. I was really eager to share these advancements and show everyone how far I’ve come.”

This year’s theme for the novice/college level was “Some Like It Hot,” which prompted Thumm to work with “a fiery color palette of orange, red and brown.”

“My goal was to create something unique and different, stepping away from my usual favorite colors to try something new,” she said. “I was beyond excited and grateful for the kind words from the judges about my bouquet. While there are areas for improvement, the experience was invaluable.”

Keith Sprewer poses for a photo with his floral arrangement
Keith Sprewer and his floral arrangement

JJC’s other notable competitor in GLFEE’s design competition was Keith Sprewer, who was recommended by the judges to enter in the professional division this year after entering the novice/college contest last year.

Sprewer advanced to the top five in the designer stage showdown and was also inducted as a certified florist at the expo.

Attending GLFEE also gave the students opportunities to take classes and network with peers and industry professionals. Though JJC students have attended GLFEE in previous years, grant funding from the American Floral Endowment (AFE) allowed them to participate in workshops this year, which they were unable to afford before.

One highlight was learning about sustainable practices and its growing role in the floral industry.

“The grant paid for a hands-on class while there, which taught me about sustainable floristry, which is an interest of mine,” said Sprewer. “The most valuable aspect of attending is being around industry professionals and learning from them. I’ve gained valuable connections this year, including two mentors.”