2025 Proven Winners Horticulture Scholarship Winners

Rick Schoellhorn - Proven Winners^® Grower Excellence Scholarship
Hauk Boyes, North Carolina State University
$5,000

“Throughout my career, I aim to provide technical guidance to the horticulture industry and support growers in meeting consumer needs. I will measure my accomplishments by the connections I build and encouragement I offer to plant producers. Inspired by the innovation within our industry, I hope to contribute to the advancement of sustainable production methods and help address future challenges.”

The Dr. Rick Schoellhorn – Proven Winners^® Grower Excellence Scholarship is named in honor of the former director of new products who passed away in 2023. This scholarship memorializes Rick’s deep passion for horticulture, which he shared throughout his career as an educator, consultant, speaker and consummate plantsman. This scholarship honors his legacy by supporting future generations of growers who share his dedication to excellence and passion for horticulture.

The Ushio Sakazaki - Proven Winners^® Plant Breeding Scholarship
Freddy Mendez-Urbano, Ohio State University
$5,000

“I want to develop new varieties with unique qualities for Ohio and the U.S. I know there is still much to be done in the floricultural industry, and I want to be among the minds driving that progress—making the field more productive and more sustainable. While I recognize that individual efforts have limits, I firmly believe that collaboration across all sectors of horticulture is key to addressing today’s challenges and creating solutions from broader perspectives than my own. I believe in creating with creativity and passion—two essential components that drive my purpose in a field where plant science continues to power the complex engine, we call life.” 

The Ushio Sakazaki – Proven Winners^® Plant Breeding Scholarship is named in honor of the renowned plant breeder who is celebrated for developing many of gardeners' favorite plants, including the iconic Supertunia Vista^® Bubblegum^®II. His contributions have not only shaped the horticulture industry but also brought a deeper connection to the natural world through his groundbreaking work. This scholarship honors his legacy and supports the next generation of plant breeders in continuing to explore and push the boundaries of plant innovation.

Proven Winners^® Innovations in Horticultural Marketing Scholarship
Hannah Skousen, Brigham Young University - Provo
$5,000

“Horticulture has shaped my life, and now I want to help shape the future of horticulture. With the right tools and training, I believe I can be part of a generation that brings plants into more homes, schools, and businesses—not just through cultivation, but through connection.”

Technical or 2-Year Post-Secondary Institution Scholarship
Isabel Harrison, Palo Alto College
$2,000

“My goal is to be a pioneer in the local cut flower market in San Antonio. The cut flower industry is known for its high carbon footprint due to long-distance shipping, often by plane and with refrigeration. Florists in Texas spend about $234 million annually on cut flowers, but only about $500,000 of that market is captured by local growers. In San Antonio, I found that the closest greenhouse or outdoor grower is over an hour away. My goal is to create a high-quality cut flower operation that serves local florists, providing jobs and economic opportunities.”

Technical or 2-Year Post-Secondary Institution Scholarship
Sarah Rogers, Edmonds College
$2,000

“Boiled down to their simplest terms, my career goals are to work with plants every day, and pursue interesting scientific questions. I dream now of being an impactful researcher in addition to an expert grower, which is why I hope to attend graduate school while continuing to gain experience as a horticulturist.”