Latino culture left a special mark at the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, held from February 28 to March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where city students and community leaders presented an exhibit celebrating identity, cultural heritage, and pride in their roots. The project, which won third place in the Flower Show Showcase, stood out for its message of representation and community collaboration.
The initiative was led by Latino educator Jean Ruiz, who works with young people in an after-school program that integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). Under the concept “Celebrating the Culture in Horticulture,” the project combined academic learning with the exploration of Latino culture.
“This year we decided to talk more about our culture, express more about our heritage, and find ways to feel empowered in the spaces of the city,” Ruiz explained. “I thought it would be a wonderful idea to bring the kids to the Flower Show and give them the opportunity to be in a space they had never been in before.”
The project brought together nearly 50 students from Philadelphia, who participated in designing and setting up the exhibit. The work was developed in collaboration with youth from the Norris Square Neighborhood Project, strengthening the connection between education, community, and culture.
The exhibit included window box planters, hanging arrangements, and a photographic display reflecting the cultural diversity of the students. The design was inspired by elements of Puerto Rican culture and Caribbean symbols, incorporating Taíno references, frogs, and birds that evoke the cultural roots of many of the participants.
For Ruiz, Latino participation in traditional spaces like the Flower Show carries deep meaning. “As a Latino, it’s a difficult space,” he said. “Sometimes we feel like we have to prove that we belong here, that our culture matters.”
However, the educator believes the students’ presence at the event is precisely a way to transform those spaces. “I want the world to know that we are capable, that we deserve these opportunities, and that we should be welcomed here,” he said. “Kids want to feel appreciated, empowered, and included.”
Beyond the recognition received in the competition, the project represented an opportunity for the students to see themselves reflected on an important stage in the city and to proudly celebrate their identity.
“I want my students to know that they can do anything when they set their minds to it,” Ruiz concluded. “It doesn’t matter our race or where we come from. Our culture is something we should celebrate and share with the world.”
At the end of the interview, the educator shared a message for the community: “Always put your heart into what you do. You are always enough. We can move forward together by collaborating with our community. Our students have the power, and what they do with their ideas can change their story and their lives.”