The Bethel Middle School Chrysanthemum Club participated in the North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society’s 34th Annual Show held at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, October 15th and 16th.  BMS entered flowers in the schools division and for the 6th straight year have taken home the Peggy Winter Memorial Trophy for best blooms.  BMS scored 66 out of a possible 70 points With the Bullington Center of Hendersonville scoring 58 points to come in at second place, Owens High School placed third with 26 points.

The BMS “Mum Club” also took home the Raven McKenzie – Wilson Memorial Trophy with the best potted chrysanthemum.  BMS 7th grader Desmond Worrell placed 1st in the Novice division and his flower was prominently displayed on the Judge’s Table.

Bethel Middle’s Mum Club also entered flowers in the National Chrysanthemum Society’s National Show held at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania October 28th through the 30th.  Of the 25 school entries Bethel received 25 blue ribbons, 7 Best of Show ribbons, Best Container Grown Plant, Best Cut flower Runner-up and was the overall Sweepstakes winner for most points. 

Club members have been meeting after school on Tuesdays to work in the greenhouse getting the mums ready for competition.  Club members are a mix of 6th, 7th and 8th graders including: Kaitlyn Eisenhardt, Austin Morgan, Krista Hall, Kristin Farmer, Breanna Hightower, Trent Guyer, Desmond Worrell, Levi O’Neil, Aaron Hymen, Walker Griffin, and Jacob Hamilton.

Photos courtesy of Bethel Middle School