Four Atwater High School agriculture and floral students recently traveled to Pasadena to volunteer in the decoration of the Kiwanis International float for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. This hands-on opportunity allowed students to expand their knowledge, skills, and real-world experience within the floral industry while participating in a historic tradition that highlights creativity, precision, and teamwork on a national stage.
“Being a part of decorating the floats for the Rose Parade was both an exciting and unique experience,” said Atwater High School agriculture student Alexa Barton. “My group and I worked alongside one another on various floats, making sure every little detail was carefully placed. The long hours required a lot of teamwork and dedication, but hearing the floats announced over the intercom as they were finished one by one made it all worth it. The memories I created while decorating the floats will forever remind me of the teamwork it took to bring each float to life.”
The experience was initiated by Atwater High School agriculture and floral instructor Natalie Borba, with funds for the five-day trip generated through student-led floral fundraisers and projects. In the days leading up to New Year’s Day, students committed more than 12 hours a day to decorating efforts. The 2026 Kiwanis float, a hippo-themed design titled “Happy Together,” aligned with the Rose Parade’s theme, “The Magic of Teamwork.” Built by the Phoenix Decorating Company, the float was decorated by hundreds of volunteers working together to prepare it for the January 1 parade.
In addition to volunteering, students were rewarded with the opportunity to attend the parade and observe the full process of float construction, decoration, and presentation. The Tournament of Roses Parade draws more than 800,000 spectators in person and is viewed by millions worldwide, making the experience both professionally enriching and personally memorable.
“Being surrounded by all the flowers, helping decorate the floats, and watching them come to life in the parade was so much fun,” said Atwater High School agriculture and floral student Laurel Peterson. “Coming together as a team, trying new things, and sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with my closest friends made it truly unforgettable.”