Feature

Virginia Tech Students Represent SPES at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition

The VNLA is proud to provide support Virginia Tech’s team of students who participate in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC).

Photo 1: Our team always dresses to impress for the career fair!

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Agricultural Technology Program sent 18 students to represent Virginia Tech at the event, which was hosted by NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Photo 2: Tyler Baker and Khalil McKenzie celebrating the end of the Hardscape Install competition.

The centerpiece of NCLC is a 31-event competition where students can compete in events ranging from driving a skid steer to plant identification to designing a landscape. This year over 500 students from 43 schools attended. As a team, Virginia Tech placed 12th overall in the competition.

Photo 3: Unfortunately, our site for the landscape install competition was a mud pit...

Kevin Painchaud (Fr. SPES) placed 2nd in Sales Presentation beating out 20 other students from various colleges and universities. Juan Gonzales (Sr. SPES) placed 2nd in the Floral and Foliage Identification event. •

Photo 4: Hokies spirit was on display all week!

Photo 5: Juan Gonzales (Sr. SPES) won the $2500, Stihl Inc. Landscape Industry Scholarship. Pictured with Roger Phelps, Corporate Communications, Stihl and Teddy Russell, President, National Association of Landscape Professionals.

OTHER TOP FINISHERS FROM VT

4th EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT: Hannah and Juan

4th MAINTENANCE COST ESTIMATING: Tyler C

6th Compact Track / Skid Steer Opp: Connor

7th INTERIOR PLANT ID: Gordon

7th MINI TRACK LOADER OPP: Parker

8th SAFETY FIRST: McCullen and Liam

8th COMPACT EXCAVATOR OPP: Tyler B

9th Truck and Trailer Opp: Tyler B and Parker