Announcing the 2025 Proven Winners Scholarship Program Winners
(Left to right) Winners Freddy Mendez Urbano, Hauk Boyes, and Hannah Skousen. | Proven Winners
Proven Winners® has announced the winners of its 2025 scholarship program. The recipients were chosen for their passion for the industry and demonstrated excellence in their respective fields of study.
Now in its 12th year, the Proven Winners scholarship program helps horticulture students advance their education and further their goals of beautifying the world.
This year’s winners are:
Ushio Sakazaki — Proven Winners® Plant Breeding Scholarship — $5,000
Freddy Mendez Urbano, The Ohio State University, Horticulture and Crop Science’
“While I recognize that individual efforts have limits, I firmly believe that collaboration across all sectors of horticulture is key to addressing today’s challenges and creating solutions from broader perspectives than my own. I believe in creating with creativity and passion — two essential components that drive my purpose in a field where plant science continues to power the complex engine we call life.”
The Ushio Sakazaki – Proven Winners® Plant Breeding Scholarship is named in honor of the renowned plant breeder who is celebrated for developing many of gardeners’ favorite plants, including the iconic Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum®. His contributions have not only shaped the horticulture industry but also brought a deeper connection to the natural world through his groundbreaking work. This scholarship honors his legacy and supports the next generation of plant breeders in continuing to explore and push the boundaries of plant innovation.
Rick Schoellhorn — Proven Winners® Grower Excellence Scholarship — $5,000
Hauk Boyes, North Carolina State University, Horticulture Science
“Throughout my career, I aim to provide technical guidance to the horticulture industry and support growers in meeting consumer needs. I will measure my accomplishments by the connections I build and the encouragement I offer to plant producers. Inspired by the innovation within our industry, I hope to contribute to the advancement of sustainable production methods and help address future challenges.”
The Dr. Rick Schoellhorn – Proven Winners® Grower Excellence Scholarship is named in honor of the former Director of New Products, who passed away in 2023. This scholarship memorializes Rick’s deep passion for horticulture, which he shared throughout his career as an educator, consultant, speaker and consummate plantsman. This scholarship honors his legacy by supporting future generations of growers who share his dedication to excellence and passion for horticulture.
Proven Winners® Innovations in Horticultural Marketing Scholarship — $5,000
Hannah Skousen, Brigham Young University – Provo, Plant and Landscape Systems
“My interest in marketing was sparked by a realization: people often do not know where to begin when it comes to incorporating plants into their lives. The challenge is not always in growing the plant; it is in showing someone why they need it in the first place. That is where marketing comes in. Good marketing does not just sell a product, it tells a story, solves a problem, and builds a connection.”
Technical or 2-Year Post-Secondary Institution Scholarship — $2,000
Isabel Harrison, Palo Alto College, Horticulture Science (Floriculture)
“My goal is to be a pioneer in the local cut flower market in San Antonio. The cut flower industry is known for its high carbon footprint due to long-distance shipping, often by plane and with refrigeration. Florists in Texas spend about $234 million annually on cut flowers, but only about $500,000 of that market is captured by local growers.”
Technical or 2-Year Post-Secondary Institution Scholarship — $2,000
Sarah Rogers, Edmonds College, Sustainable Landscape Management
“I aim to work on questions related to scaling up the production of native plant material needed for restoration projects. The demand is already greater than the industry can provide, and the demand grows each year, not only from land managers but from private landowners and homeowners as well. However, scaling up this production responsibly is not simple. There are many questions around how to increase production without doing further damage to extant ecosystems.”
Applications for the 2026 Proven Winners scholarship program are open now through April 30, 2026. For more information, visit provenwinners.com/scholarship.
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