The 69th National FFA Convention Proceedings* M November 14-16, 1996 ^ Opportunities for premier leadership, personal growth and career success at the national FFA convention are endless, including (clockwise from top left): The FFA National Agricultural Career Show, where students visited more than 300 exhibitors to learn about educational and career opportunities; business sessions and committee meetings, where delegates recommended new ideas for the FFA and voted on key issues; surfing the Internet and exploring National FFA Online (http://unvw.ffa.org); and participating in the floriculture career development event, one of numerous national finals events held during the convention. Letter from the Editor ai J A record 41,275 members, advisors and supporters flooded Kansas City to witness the spectacular displays ofleadership, effort and dedication to long- held dreams realized on stage in Municipal Auditorium. Kansas City welcomed the FFA, and FFA members showed their appreciation to the city for hosting the convention for 69 years. Although in two years the blue and gold willfill the streets ofLouisville, Ky., in October instead ofKansas City Sfeion in November, the friendships we have made and the support we have generated in Kansas City will last forever. Contents Wherever convention is held, the vitality and energy ofFFA members carry the same spirit. And the same as this year, we in the newsroom will be busy Agri-Entrepreneurship Awards 15 day and night trying to capture the essence of you, the members, in your Aghscience Student Recognition Program 14 excitement, your achievement, your energy and your laughter. You make Agriscience Teacher of the Year 14 our job easy, and for that, we keep coming back. In the pages that follow, Alumni Convention 46-47 your faces truly show that FFA members are leaders with a vision. American FFA Degrees 20-26 Band 28 One person who has positively affected everyone in FFA, especially those Business 57 fortunate enough to work with her, was unable to join our annual Career Development Events (Contests) 16 gathering, but she was in our hearts. We dedicate this volume of the Career Show & Hall of States 54-55 Proceedings and our best wishesfor a speedy recovery to Roni Horan of Chorus 29 the National FFA Communications Resources Team. Roni embodies the Committee Reports 61-74 spirit of convention and dedication to FFA more than anyone we know. Auditing 61 Agricultural Education Trends 61 We hope this, the official record of the 69th National FFA Convention, Career Success Activities 63 leaves you with warm memories of an inspiring week, or awakens new Chapter Activities 64 possibilities you may have never imagined. Whichever is the case, we hope Communications & Public Relations 62 you'll be part of the 70th edition. See you next year! FFA Publications 73 Leadership & Personal Development 65-66 Best wishes, Marketing & Merchandising 67 Lynn Hamilton, Editor Membership Recruitment & Participation . 68-69 National FFA Convention 70 Nominating 71 The 69th National FFA Convention Partner Development 72 Program of Activities 74 Convention Overview 3-7 Convention Speakers 40-41 Proceedings Courtesy Corps 56 Volume LXIX November 14-16, 1996 Distinguished Service Citations 51 Extemporaneous Speaking Contest 12 The 69th National FFA Convention Proceedings is FFA Achievers 53 published by the National FFA Organization as a record Honorary American FFA Degrees 48-49 of its annual convention held in Kansas City, Missouri, H.O. Sargent Award 53 November 14-16, 1996. National Chapter Awards 30-31 National Officer Candidates 13 Proceed ings Staff New National Officers 75 Official Delegates 58-60 Editor Photography Editor Managing Editor Prepared Public Speaking Contest 10-11 Lynn Hamilton Molly Wilson Jennifer Messenger Proficiency Awards 17-19 Associate Editors Desktop Publishing Photographers Retiring Addresses 32-37, 40-45 Misty Gentry Shelly Richardson Cameron Craig SethDerner 32-33 Jennifer West Sam Harrel Cody Wagner 33-35 Lightfoot Photography JoeCaffee 35-36 Art Director Kelly Rogers Bill Catania 37,40-41 Linda Flint Orlin Wagner Clara-Leigh Horn 41-43 AndyMcCall 43-45 Prepared and published by the National FFA Organization in cooperation with Speakers 38-39 the U.S. Department of Education as a service to state and local agricultural Sponsors 50-51 education agencies. The National FFA Organization affirms its belief in the Stars Over America 8-9 value ofall human beings and seeks diversity in its membership, leadership and Talent 27 staff as an equal opportunity employer. VIP Citations 52 © Copyright 1996 by the National FFA Organization '":..-• . Leaders with a Vision n 1!* " *%** mlrt^^^ ^ *^3 *m* **• ' <'" ' -pr X. .1 ^ tL- flj ii. irr The weather in Kansas City wasn't suitedfor tropicalflowers, but these members tried to brighten the streets of the city and the career show as they transported flowers to their Hall of States exhibit. Seeing is believing. If you can dream it, you can do Greenhands, they are motivated to explore all the it. Nothing is impossible when you have a dream. opportunities available to them, and to develop a path Every goal is within your reach. that leads to personal fulfillment. Whether they want to be chapter president or to become a veterinarian, While these strike statements may some people as FFA members are presented with options limited only cliches, reiterated time again as part of every and pep by their imaginations. Anyone can succeed in school, talk or keynote speech, there is truth in each of them. careers and life. The key element of these sayings, and all the others like them, is vision. The national FFA convention is a place where all these dreams can come true. FFA members can investi- Vision allows us to see, not just in the literal, physi- gate careers, win career development events, realize cal sense, but also in understanding ourselves and the visions. New ideas, new visions, are born at the world around us. To have a vision is to have a clear convention, too. When the current and future leaders goal in life, a driving force, a passion constantly which of agriculture come to Kansas City and see the impact pushes us to make things better for ourselves oth- and and potential of their leadership abilities, their eyes ers. open wide. They become leaders with a vision. FFA members understand what it means to have a vision. From the time they enter the organization as (Continued on page 4) " ^ The Eyes Have It The cold wind and rain that chilled Kansas City during the convention did little to dampen the spirits of par- ticipants. Warm smiles brightened the chilly mornings, and the cold opened more than 41,000 pairs of eyes wide to the possibilities available to them through the FFA. Members took in the sights, whether at tours of local museums or company headquarters, or just staring up at the towering buildings of downtown. Passers-by gazing out the windows of cars, buses and taxicabs saw a sea of blue jackets sprawling across the city. Convention participants realized the dreams that brought them there, fulfilling a vision of being the best pub- lic speaker, agriscience student or judging team. As finalists stood starry-eyed on convention stages, they were cheered on by capacity crowds who saw in these winners a chance to achieve dreams of their own. Eyes blinked back tears of joy as members shared their outstanding accomplishments with the world. The convention also had its share of "ayes." Delegates deliberated issues and recommendations designed to help the National FFA realize its own vision as a leader in agriculture. Thousands of members received a vote of confidence as they earned FFA's highest honor, the American FFA Degree. Municipal Auditorium rang with cheers of support as six leaders realized their goal of becoming a national officer. Few things, however, re- ceived as much overwhelming approval as the messages conveyed by the many keynote speakers, who ad- dressed the convention theme by offering unique perspectives on achieving success. The only thing many eyes may have missed was the chance to rest. Sleep did not come easily to those who spent all hours of the day and night determined to experience every moment of the convention's excitement. Some got up early to make the trip into downtown, others stayed late to dance the night away, and still more just "hung out" with newfound friends, talking into the wee hours of the morning. No matter what they did, members found ways to see it all. "My vision is to use agriculture and FFA as a background to prepare me for my college education. Sandy Fizer, FFA member, Pulaski, Va. John R. McClendon and Carroll A. Campbell Jr. were happy to receive FFA Achievers plaques from Clara-Leigh Horn, national FFA vice president. Both former FFA members, McClendon is a spokespersonfor the soybean industry, and Campbell is aformer governor ofSouth Carolina. FFA Achievers are recognized every three years and are honored in a display in the Hall of Achievement at the National FFA Center. s "My father and grandfather, in operating their farm, set forth a tradition of innovative techniques. I'd like to be able to take some of the techniques I've learned in FFA back to the farm and hopefully maintain it so that my children continue to carry on the tradition." — Martin Fujishin, FFA member, Adrian, Ore. The 1995-96 national FFA officer team started off the convention with the Reflections session on Wednesday evening. The setting was the National FFA Archives and the officers reflected on the lessons available in FFA history and the possibilities the future holds. Looking Back Learning to realize a vision can come from under- standing the links to the past. Seeing where others have gone before and the progress created by change can provide the key to reaching our own goals.