We are pleased to announce this year's recipient of the Outdoor Splendor Excellence in Horticulture Award, Kiley Mueller. She received a $500.00 check, a personal desk award and her name added to the perpetual plaque that is hung on the walls of the Owen J. Roberts High School. Kiley has taken the horticulture elective all four years, including a double period during this school year. Since her freshman year, Kiley has demonstrated a passion for Horticulture through her leadership, mentoring new students, assisting with various Horticulture projects and providing overall support for the program from the floral counter to the school gardens. Outside of school, Kiley has started her own cut flower and floriculture business that has seen great success in our community. With her strong work ethic, dedication, and accountability, she has been a true asset to the Horticulture program. Kiley has aspirations to attend the Longwood Gardens Professional Horticulture Program when it reopens later this year. In the meantime, she plans to continue her education at Montgomery County Community College and continue onto Delaware Valley University.

Kirk, owner of Outdoor Splendor and OJR horticulture program alumnus, created an annual scholarship award and is designated for a student who has participated in the horticulture program and has displayed an exemplary attitude and extraordinary skill development. The horticulture program teaches students on various topics such as landscape design and installation, plant, weed and pest identification, plant propagation and floral design. The program is also very hands on with students maintaining school landscapes and growing flowers in the on-site greenhouse that are then planted around campus. This program is very unique to OJR with most other districts not offering this elective option.

The program contributed to much of the passion and knowledge Kirk used to grow Outdoor Splendor. He was also the vice president of the horticulture club while taking the program.