MHS was able to witness the budding flowers of spring with the Iris Show on Wednesday, May 2, directed by Valerie Mertz, biology teacher. Students and adults competed for best in show with irises from multiple categories: Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris, Intermediate Bearded Iris, Tall Bearded Iris, Space Age Tall Bearded Iris, and many more.
“Once a year, irises bloom in the spring and the Greater St. Louis Iris Society helps put the show on at Marquette,” Mertz said. “This is an official show for the greater St. Louis area, not just Marquette.”
To have a chance at winning best in show or make it to the “Queen’s Table,” students searched for irises on campus, Mertz said. The winners from this show will have their information sent to the American Iris Society, Mertz said. At least 15 students entered the Iris Show this year.
“When students enter, they have to pick a flowering stock that will bud the day of the show,” Mertz said. “Each flower is judged for its own perfection.”
There are many different colors and styles of the iris flower because scientists crossed two irises, Mertz said.
From each section, they will choose the best to go up to the winner’s table. There will be a winner from the adult division and the youth division. The MHS students are part of the youth division.
Karla Scheerer, senior, played a large role in the iris show. Not only did she enter several flowers in the contest, but she helped the judges.
“I’m a clicker which means I place and rotate the flowers because the judges aren’t allowed to touch the flower,” Scheerer said. “[The judges] like to see different stocks and if they are in full bloom.”
As Scheerer helped the judges, the three judges had to find the iris that was best in show.
“We look for overall balance meaning nice branching and bud count,” Audrey Judy, judge, said. “Even how it is positioned in the jar helps a little.”
Dan Judy, judge, said there are many types of styles, one being modern. The modern iris has seven buds or more and has good branching.
This year, the ultimate best in show was given to Adam Birdsong, freshman. Audrey and Dan Judy chose Birdsong’s iris because it had perfect placement, flow, and balance.