BHS senior a natural florist

April 12, 2019

By David Nordby The Brillion News

BRILLION – Brillion High School senior Morgan Franczek has only been putting together floral arrangements since March. The lack of experience didn’t stop her from winning the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Florist Association’s High School Floral Arrangement Contest.

It wasn’t beginner’s luck in her first ever competition but more like a natural talent.

“I think it was the whole hands-on aspect because I’m very creative and I like to create things,” Franczek said. “Getting to create something totally out of, like, nowhere is pretty cool.”

The florists in the competition received a story concept of what they were supposed to make, a list of materials and were scored from judges. Franczek’s assigned concept was a modern male birthday party in a linear arrangement.

“I think coming up with your main idea and how to create the line and then you had to have movement, so you kind of had to have a curve or something for the eye to follow, so coming up with that concept was a little bit difficult,” Franczek said.

She beat out about a dozen other arrangements – many from more experienced students.

“I didn’t think I was going to win (first place) but I did feel pretty confident about it,” Franczek said.

She’s been into art since she was much younger.

“I would always draw and create stories and do all of that stuff,” Franczek said.

Her first experience with flowers was in Stacey Kunde’s horticulture course at the high school. She says building an arrangement is not unlike other art, but with some restraints on creativity.

“When you make an arrangement especially, there is, kind of, things you have to follow and go by so that it looks nice and people will buy it,” Franczek said.

She made it in around four hours while working at Brilliont Blooms in Brillion where she’s quickly learned about flowers, building arrangements and the customer service side of the job.

Like other forms of art, owner Tami Gasch says that there are traditional and contemporary designs.

“We just started with one simple task and kind of introduced her slowly, learning different types of flowers,” Gasch said.

Gasch says Franczek carries good traits for a florist, and an employee in general.

“She’s very creative and thoughtful in her approach and conscientious so those are all really good traits for a future employee or for her to go out in the workforce and work for someone else,” Gasch said.

Gasch, and her husband, Gordie, opened Brilliont Blooms in Sept. 2015. The two have done just about everything for the shop since. Franczek is the first part-time worker.

Please see the complete story in the April 11, 2019 print edition of The Brillion News.