09 October 2007

Rocky Pollitz Inducted into Floriculture Hall of Fame

Decades of passion for quality, for excellence in floral design, for education and for the value of professional local florists was recognized with the induction of Rocky Pollitz into the the Society of American Florists' Floriculture Hall of Fame during recent ceremonies held at SAF's annual convention.

Only the fourth woman honoree in the more than 40 years of the granting of this award, Rocky has been an inspiration and mentor to many florists - myself included. She created oppotunities for countless designers to have our work showcased at the national level and staunchly believed that quality florists should be recognized as artists.  She raised the bar for the profession and raised awareness of education and the art.

From an SAF article:

(Rocky) always keeps retail florists’ best interests at heart, and is willing to share her considerable knowledge in order to help advance the professionalism of the industry. “Rocky Pollitz has dedicated a lifetime to helping the floral industry’s ‘little guy’ – retail florists,” says Phil Rulloda AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of the Southern California School of Floral Design in Anaheim.

Rocky has received many other national industry honors including:

  • AIFD’s Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry 
  • Award of Distinguished Service to AIFD 
  • SAF’s Golden Bouquet (Paul Ecke, Jr.) Award 
  • PFCI’s Tommy Bright Award 

The AIFD Foundation also administers the Rocky Pollitz AIFD Fund which offers financial assistance to college students pursuing an education in floriculture with emphasis in floral design.

Rocky's tireless devotion to florist issues and her years of leading the outstanding education programs at Teleflora make her a truly deserving recipient of the industry's highest honor, the Floriculture Hall of Fame.

Photograph: Phil, Rocky, Cathy at an SAF Convention reception. 

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# Carla Utah Floral Designer said:

Rocky Pollitz has been an inspiration to me throughout the years!  I am a custom floral designer here in Salt Lake City Utah and I really enjoy seeing all the various floral techniques and various styles.  It's a lot of fun, and addicting!

25 October 07 at 3:46 PM
# Candy Gamble said:

I worked for Rocky at "Ana's" in Riverside in the early 70's.  I was in my early 20's and struggling to save enough money for graduate school.  I did everything---delivery, cleaning flowers, sales and she taught me the elements of floral design.  Rocky encouraged and trusted me, a beginner, to be creative and original.  She always had a wry sense of humor and working in her shop was a real education in itself!  My favorite memories are of the holiday marathons:  Mothers' Day, Valentines' Day, etc. where she fed us and encouraged us and and we all felt part of a team.  Working long hours on her Las Floristas entries were also a lot of fun.  Rocky was very good to me. It was a formative time of my life and I will continue to remember her with graditude and fondnes...

17 December 07 at 2:17 PM

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