FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Contact: Edward Terry, Public Information Officer, 828.726.2202
Date: March 7, 2012
CCC&TI’s Landscape Gardening Students Excel
at Spring Show; Win Two Awards
HUDSON, N.C. – Landscape Gardening students from Caldwell Community College and
Technical Institute brought home two awards from the annual Southern Spring Home and
Garden Show held at The Park Expo and Conference Center Feb. 29 through March 4 in
Charlotte, N.C. Students received a First Place Award for Creativity and a Second Place
Award for Horticulture.
The theme for this year’s garden was “Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.” Each garden
featured a music theme, and the CCC&TI students channeled the iconic rock album through the
use of a rainbow of flower colors and strategically placed prisms. A variety of live plants were
used, along with brick pavers, rock walls and special lighting.
The award brings the total for CCC&TI’s Landscape Gardening students to 12, which have
been earned over the last 9 years. Among others, CCC&TI students have won the J.C.
Raulston Award, the Palette Award for best use of color in a showcase garden and in 2006,
the CCC&TI garden earned the “Best of Show” award, the highest award given at the yearly
event.
Landscape Gardening Director Debbie Mitchell commented on the hard work and efforts of
her students this year, but also pointed out the benefits of involvement in events such as
the Spring Home and Garden Show.
In addition to the hands-on, “real world problem-based learning,” the students are exposed
to opportunities they won’t have on campus, Mitchell said.
“I had three companies come up and offer internships to our students,” she said. “The
students learn to work together and operate in a professional way outside their local
community.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our students,” Mitchell said. “I’m so lucky to have such
dedicated students and such incredible faculty.”
For more information on CCC&TI’s Landscape Gardening Program, contact Director Debbie
Mitchell at 726-2330.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute won two awards at the Southern Spring Home and
Garden Show in Charlotte Feb. 29-March 4. The Landscape Gardening students' "Dark Side of the Moon"
display won first place for creativity and second place for horticulture.
The theme for this year's Landscape Gardening student project at the Southern Spring Home and Garden
Show in Charlotte Feb. 29-March 4 was "Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd." The music-themed garden
featured live plants, special lighting, prisms and brick work.
Debbie Mitchell, director of CCC&TI's Landscape Gardening program, poses with the program's two
awards from the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show in Charlotte, which took place February 29 March 4.