The 68th National FFA Convention CEEDING November 9-11, 1995 TIP -11 ^ Meeting new people, renewing old friendships andgainingfresh insights about FFA are all part of the convention spirit. Fran Ogden, a first-year teacher from Seneca, III., celebrates Leadershipfor a Lifetime with FFA members Ammy Craker of Walnut Grove, Mo., and Jose Santiago of Camuy, Puerto Rico. 1 Letter from the Editor The energy in the Municipal Auditorium and all around Kansas City could have launched a space shuttle during the 68th National FFA Convention. With 37,006 corduroy-clad members and their advisors in attendance, anything was possible. We, the Proceedings staff, scrambled all week to t-^e-^i-*»-^e- capture the intensity and excitement we saw and felt bustling all around us. The days were long, but you, the members, made it worth the effort. Your enthusi- Contents asm charged the air with a special electricity, and anyone within 100 feet of a blue and gold jacket felt Achievement in Volunteerism 25 the current. Agriscience Student Recognition Program 26 That vivacity is translated to the best of our ability Agriscience Teacher of the Year 26 on the following 70 pages. The Proceedings is the Alumni Convention 48 official record of the 68th National FFA Convention, American FFA Degrees 18-24 but it's also more than that. It carries the spirit of Band 29 your achievements-not only of winning, but also of Building Our American Communities 25 coming to our national gathering to try your best, to Business 52 learn from others, and to return home a better person Career Development Events (Contests) 1 for the experience. Career Show 50-51 We hope you enjoy reading these pages as much Chorus 28 as we enjoyed bringing them to you. We'll be here Committee Reports 56-69 next year-and we hope to see you! Auditing 56 Agricultural Education Trends 56 Lynn Hamilton ^"^^j^^^ Career Success Activities 58 Chapter Activities 59 The 68th National FFA Convention Communications & Public Relations 57 FFA Publications 69 Leadership & Personal Development 60-61 Marketing & Merchandising 62 Proceedings Membership Recruitment & Participation 63-64 National FFA Convention 65 Volume LXVIII November 9-11, 1995 Nominating 66 The 68th National FFA Convention Proceedings is Partner Development 67 published by the National FFA Organization as a record Program of Activities 68 of its annual convention held in Kansas City, Mo., Convention Overview 3-7 November 9-11, 1995. Convention Speakers 36-37 Courtesy Corps 49 Proceedings Staff Distinguished Service Citations 47 Extemporaneous Speaking Contest 15-16 Editor Editorial Assistant National FFA Foundation Recognition 46-47 Lynn Hamilton Marion Fay Communications 44-45 Honorary American FFA Degrees Resources Team National Agri-Entrepreneurship Forum 10 Associate Editors Photographers William F. Stagg National Chapter Awards 27 Gayle Fortenberry Sam Harrel Director/Team Leader National Officer Candidates 14 Jennifer West Lightfoot Photography New National Officers 70 Andy Markwart Communications Art Director Kelly Rogers Official Delegates 53-55 Consultants Linda Flint Orlin Wagner Jennifer Conway Prepared Public Speaking Contest 16-17 Michael Wilson Jennifer Messenger Proficiency Awards 8-9 Photography Editor Roni Horan Retiring 31-42 Addresses Molly Wilson Corey D. Flournoy 31-33 Special Thanks to: Travis D. Hagen 33-35 Desk Top Publishing Saundra Campbell Shelly Richardson Trisha Bailey 35, 38 Mary Beth Stagg Jennafer Neufeld 38-40 LeeSchroeder 40-41 Prepared and published by the National FFA Organization in cooperation with GregVetter 41-42 the U.S. Department of Education as a service to state and local agricultural Safety Awards 27 education agencies. The National FFA Organization affirms its belief in the Stars Over America 12-13 value ofall human beings and seeks diversity in its membership, leadership and Talent 30 staff as an equal opportunity employer. VIP Citations 43 © Copyright 1995 by the National FFA Organization Leadershipfor a Lifetime Opportunities to make new friends at the national convention were limitless. The success of the FFA may not have been fully realized in the life- times of its founders, but the leadership and responsibility they fostered in America's youth have burned like a flame for generations. Sixty-eight years ago, the National FFA Organization was launched by the ideals of a few who wanted to secure the future of American agriculture by promot- ing leadership and knowledge. Today the opportunities and experiences available to enrich the lives of FFA members are as numerous as stars on a cloudless night. Nowhere is the founders' continuing influence more apparent than at the national FFA convention. Once a year, Kansas City teems with members from yesterday, today and tomorrow, gathered together to celebrate common ties, share in the advantages of membership and discover the attributes that make each individual unique. This exchange enables students to combine talent with opportunity to make a difference. Spirits soar like rockets with this newfound sense of leadership, which will burn for a lifetime. (Continued on page 4) " The 1994-95 National FFA Officer Team launched the convention with a space-themed Reflections program. The officers began by gathering around a model of the eternal "To me, FFA meant flame at President John opportunity. F. Kennedy's grave to salute his lifetime of Opportunity to be leadership (top). The program then blasted involved and to feel like into space with a skit you are making a about the Future Farmers of the contribution to Moon conducting something. My whole experiments and solving problems in career is based on FFA. space in the year 2027 (bottom). —Jasper S. Lee, Lee and Associates, Demorest, Ga. Former FFA member, Clinton FFA Chapter, Mississippi Once in a Lifetime Opportunities "Five! Four! Three! Two! ONE!" With an explosion of cheering from every corner of the arena, the convention was underway. FFA members reached for the stars during the convention. A space exploration motif surrounded them, beginning with Wednesday's Reflections sessions, where national officers envisioned the spread of FFA's influence to the moon. In addition to each ses- sion "countdown," visitors to the career show explored a model of the proposed interna- tional space station courtesy of NASA. Stars shone during the convention sessions as well. Members and guests cheered the crowning achievements of FFA award winners who stretched their talents to the limit in hopes of success. Ecstatic winners congratulated each other onstage, oblivious to the flashbulbs twinkling like stars from the stands. But these were not the only opportunities available for the more than 37,000 partici- pants who flocked to Kansas City. At every turn, members found chances to meet people from around the world, investigate career possibilities and learn ways to im- prove themselves and their communities through a variety of workshops and exhibits. Most of all, convention attendees found many opportunities to have fun. The Time of Your Life The bitter cold snap that greeted mem- bers upon their arrival in Kansas City did not appear to chill their enthusiasm. In fact, the downtown area saw plenty of sunny smiles and warm handshakes, and conven- tion sessions sizzled with excitement. Members found a perfect way to release their pent-up energy at three convention dances in Bartle Hall. Many visitors spent time taking in the sights and sounds of Kansas City or em- barking on an educational tour. Others hopped on the bus bound for the American Royal, which offered a full evening of entertainment with a nightly rodeo and concert featuring big-name performers. Visitors to the FFA Food Court and the Shopping Mall in Bartle Hall found conven- tion souvenirs, tasty meals and opportuni- ties to hang out with fellow FFA members from around the United States and several other countries. Sunny smiles warmed the brisk mornings in Kansas City as members eagerly awaited the events of the new day. "I was scared to death to talk to anyone before I joined FFA. Now I'm a regional officer. —Erin Nelson, Del Norte FFA, Calif. Official delegates represent each state association at the national convention. Pete Haakenson, state vice president from Wisconsin, responded to the delegate roll call during a business session. (Continued on page 6) " "I got involved in forestry through FFA, A Lifetime of Memories and I became interested in becoming a forestry As sure as Friday night's snowfall brought well-bundled FFA members frolicking into the streets of downtown, the technician. Now I'm final tap of the gavel Saturday afternoon brought the 68th hoping to get an FFA National FFA Convention to a close. scholarship to help me But the legacy of the convention was far from complete. in college. As members returned to the familiarity of their homes and —Caleb Brewer, Elma FFA, Wash. families, they brought back the usual T-shirts, hats and other souvenirs. But they also brought home memories of their experiences at the convention: the new friends, the inspiring speeches, and the great ideas they learned every- M where they went. And so ignites the spark of initiative that flares into the spirit of leadership, the impact of which lasts a lifetime. FFA members found plenty of ways to have a good time during the convention. This member's enthusiasm was infectious. Leadership a , for Lifetime " 2v . w .,'V ' '7 learned to stand up for myself because ofFFA." W m | V —Celeste Monclova, Allentown FFA, N.J. Sit J ^^"> iS Bp 1 : Ht U H T Kl L «- #1 Ms jf^ ^>^^^l ^^J y^"-^ : .—. L / M FFA members gathered in Kansas City to celebrate the spirit of leadership that binds them together. "Ifirst began public speaking in FFA in high school. That was really the first opportunity I had for speaking outside of school and family.