Scholarship Opportunities

The Freytag Family Scholarship in Memory of Ann Hobbs has been established in the amount of $1,200. Ann's love for the floral industry set in motion the opportunity for her to serve as a Texas State Florists' Association (TSFA) President. Her passion was the people. She was a founding member of the Texas Floral Endowment and paved the way for scholarship programs through the Texas Floral Endowment. This scholarship is available to attend the Texas Master Florist Certification Program and must be used within two years.

TSFA flourished under TSFA President Gina Waters AAF TMFA's leadership despite unprecedented times. Under her leadership, a series of virtual programming to guide Texas florists through uncharted territories was launched at the onset of the 2020 Pandemic. She worked with the TSFA Education Committee to bring forward the Professional Certified Florist Program to certify professional florists while thousands of high school students were certified. Gina believed in the importance of education. With the establishment of this scholarship to attend Texas Floral Events, her memory will live on. The recipient of this $500 scholarship must utilize the scholarship within two years of the award.

Jane and Mark Knox TMF have been an inspiration to this industry. Jane serving on the Florist Federal Credit Union Board, as well as on the WesTexas New Mexico Florist Association (WTNM) and TSFA's boards and chairing many committees and events for both Associations. Mark was on the TSFA's Founding Education Committee that developed the Texas Master Florist Certification program, served on the TSFA Insurance Trust, chaired numerous TSFA and WTNM committees and served both TSFA and WTNM as president. Jack Cross TMFA shared that he was "honored to say that I was one of those inspired by their willingness to educate and train a young person. My first experience in the floral industry after graduating college was working for Mark Knox Flowers. This experience, along with the passion for the floral industry exhibited by Jane and Mark Knox, put me on the path to owning my own, successful flower shop." Mark and Jane showed that giving back to the industry they love was extremely important to the future success of this industry. It is in this spirit, that Denise and Jack Cross established the Jane and Mark Knox, TMF Floral Education Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 through the Texas Floral Endowment to provide funding for several first time attendees to attend educational events including the TSFA and WTNM conventions. This scholarship will provide a full registration and associated costs, up to $500 per recipient to experience the yearly education events that Jane and Mark Knox so passionately endorsed their entire career. The recipients of this scholarship must utilize the funds within two years of receiving the award.

TSFA's education programs flourished under TSFA Education Co-Chair Kassie Baker TMFA's leadership despite unprecedented times. She worked with the TSFA Education Committee to bring forward the Professional Certified Florist Program to certify professional florists while thousands of high school students were certified. Kassie believed in the importance of education. With the establishment of this scholarship in the amount of $300 to attend the Texas Master Florist Program, her memory will live on. The recipient of this scholarship must utilize the scholarship within two years of this award.

The 2026 Texas Floral Events Registration Scholarship has been established through a grant funded by American Floral Endowment in the amount of up to $300. There will be two scholarships awarded. Those awarded the $300 must be first time Texas Floral Expo attendees and must apply the funds toward the 2026 Texas Floral Expo registration. The applicant must be a Texas resident. There are no other restrictions.

The Sheri Renee Montgomery White, AAF, TMFA, Memorial Scholarship has been established annually by the Texas Floral Endowment and funded by family and friends in honor of Sheri. She was a member of the Society of American Florists and served as TSFA Retail Director. As a respected leader, Sheri served as President of the South Texas Teleflora Unit, as well as President of Allied Florists of Houston and Texas State Florists' Association for two terms. She held numerous committee chairmanships on the Allied Florist of Houston, Texas State Florists' Association and served as a member of the Texas Floral Endowment Board of Directors. Recognized for her service to the industry, she received the highest award Allied Florists of Houston bestows upon its members, the Buddy Benz Award as well as the Texas State Florists' Association Lifetime Achievement Award. With a 40 year career in the floral industry, Sheri's legacy of love and devotion to the TSFA, AFH, continuing education in the floral industry, and community service was an inspiration to all who knew her. Any floral industry person looking to excel in the floral industry may apply for the $500 scholarship towards tuition at the TSFA School of Floral Design, Texas Master Florist certification, or any accredited continuing education floral design school/program through the Texas State Florist' Association. The applicant must be interested in pursuing a career in the floral industry and submit an outline of their industry goals and community service activities. The recipient must utilize the scholarship within two years of the award. There are no other restrictions.

The Society for the Advancement of Floral Design Scholarship has been established by The Society for Advancement of Floral Design, This $500 scholarship may be used at a two-year accredited Texas Community College or Floral Design School with a major in horticulture, landscaping or floriculture and may be used only for books, tuition or room and board. The scholarship will be awarded to an adult changing careers or wanting to complete their Texas Master Florist Certification in order to pursue a career in the floricultural, agricultural or horticultural industry. They must provide two references and write a paragraph explaining why they want/need the scholarship and show floral related awards. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Texas for two years. The recipient of the award must utilize the scholarship within two years of the award.

The Texas State Florists' Association Past Presidents have established one $500 scholarship to be awarded in 2026. Any floral industry person may apply for the scholarship to attend the Texas State Florists' Association Texas Master Florists Program providing they meets the criteria established by the Texas Master Florist Program. The recipient of this scholarship must utilize scholarship within two years of the award. There are no other restrictions.

Judy Rutledge TMFA served the Texas State Florists' Association as the TSFA Education Chair and as TSFA President. During her service, the High School Certification was established. Judy loved her TSFA experience and excelled in leadership. It is in her honor that the TSFA Education Committee established this scholarship. Any floral industry person may apply for the scholarship to attend the Texas State Florists' Association Texas Master Florist Program providing he/she meets the criteria established by the Texas Master Florist Program. The recipient of this $500 scholarship must utilize scholarship within two years of the award. There are no other restrictions.

The Texas Floral Event Registration Scholarship has been established by the Texas Floral Endowment in an amount of up to $300. This certificate is to attend one Texas Floral Event in 2026. The applicant must be a retail flower shop employee and have a minimum two years of floral industry experience. The applicant must be a Texas resident. The recipient will be chosen by a drawing and must utilize the scholarship in 2026. There are no other restrictions.

The Tubby Adkisson, AAF, TMFA, Educational Scholarship has been established by the Texas Floral Endowment in the amount of $800. This certificate is to attend classes at the Texas State Florists' Association School of Floral Design. The applicant must be interested in pursuing a career in floral design and submit an outline of the applicant's goals. The recipient of this scholarship must utilize scholarship within two years of the award. There are no other restrictions.

Though she will be missed, Rebecca Ray Burt (BECKY) will forever be remembered. Becky loved seeing high school students pursue floral certification and education. To honor this floral legacy, the Texas Floral Endowment Board of Trustees, Southern Floral Company and Friends of Becky Burt have established the Central Texas High School Floral Teacher Education Scholarship in memory of Becky Ray Burt in the amount of $500. This   scholarship is open to any Texas high school floral teacher. Becky was a major part of Southern Floral Company for 15 years and a strong supporter of TSFA and industry education. The Texas Floral Endowment Board of Trustees invites you to join us in honor of Becky.