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All joking aside, both Warrenton High School students are benefiting from a placement program implemented in the ag department and overseen by teacher and FFA advisor Diane Miederhoff.
Students have been able to take what they learned in class and apply it to a real-life situation.
Classes such as floriculture, greenhouse management and nursery landscape provide students a hands-on experience to learn about a profession they normally might not have the opportunity to pursue if the program didn't exist.
"It's a matter of applying it to something," Nicholas said. "It makes me think of what I can do for a future career."
Since the fall, Maragni and Nicholas have been working part time at two Warrenton flower shops. Maragni, a senior, works several hours each weekday at A Moment of Grace. A sophomore, Nicholas fits about 10 hours into her schedule each week at Kathryn's Gift Shop and Florist.
Recommendations from Miederhoff helped both students land the jobs.
Miederhoff said short field trips to both flower shops in Warrenton has served her students well. She said her class learns to identify flowers along with how to use certain tools.
In turn, both business owners like the opportunity to talk about their profession to interested students.
"Both of them have been wonderful to have here," Miederhoff said.
Thanks to high school classes Maragni took, she was a step ahead of many other workers who had come through the flower shop before.
"When you're out there in the greenhouse, it's like your own little world," Maragni said. "It can be an exciting and beautiful place at the same time."
She could easily identify many of the flowers and plants in the store and also possessed a skill many others couldn't. Her bow tying prowess caught the attention of A Moment of Grace owner Cathy Kohenskey.
Maragni had dabbled a bit in making arrangements while in floriculture class as a sophomore and her expertise has since expanded after serving as an apprentice. She learned each arrangement must follow a globe-like shape.
"Each flower has its own spot," Maragni said. "You either have that look or you don't."
Meanwhile, Nicholas admitted she had a tough time learning the certain nuances of throwing together an arrangement. Soon after, she understood how a layout must balance the center height. She also thrived once she began thinking out of the box.
"Everybody is so happy to receive flowers so I want it to look nice," Nicholas said.
Both girls can see a future in the flower business. Maragni will be attending Northwest Missouri State University in the fall and plans on majoring in floriculture and business. Nicholas envisions a career in music education but remains interested in owning a flower shop of her own.
Come to think of it, both say, maybe a hectic Valentine's Day wouldn't be so bad after all.
"They really care about what you are going to do with your future," Maragni said regarding the placement program. "They have prepared us for life."
