Preparations are in bloom as this fall’s homecoming celebrations draw near, with colorful student contributions.

Students in WKU’s Floristry Certificate program have spent the week at the Floral Design Training Center behind Gary Ransdell Hall creating floral arrangements and corsages for this weekend’s homecoming events.

Mattalyn Johnson, secretary of the WKU chapter of the Student American Institute of Floral Designers, said that students in the floristry certificate program and SAIFD design floral arrangements for essentially any on-campus or university-affiliated event.

“Most people don’t know that students make the designs; they think that it’s professionally done,” Johnson said. “It’s cool to know, hey, I played a part in that.”

The homecoming court will be pinned Saturday morning with corsages designed by students in the Wedding Floral Design class.

Daisy Machado, WKU SAIFD president, said SAIFD provides students with unique opportunities to get experience and make connections in the world of floristry, on campus and beyond. She said the process of creating these arrangements, though difficult, is rewarding.

“Sometimes it can feel stressful or it sounds stressful in the moment, but once you get started working with your classmates, it’s enjoyable,” Machado said. “You’re talking, having fun, you get to interact with your classmates in a different setting.”

The WKU Alumni Association’s annual Hilltopper Excellence Awards at the Knicely Conference Center on Thursday evening will feature floral arrangements on every table designed and delivered by WKU floristry students, Johnson said.

Johnson said that homecoming and graduation are their busiest times of the year, but that the floristry house stays active year-round.

“This is a really lively place, there’s always music and people in here working, doing something, it’s a lot of fun,” Johnson said. “There’s normally something going on all the time, always an event.”