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 will fill the streets of Louisville, Ky., in October instead of KansasCity in November, the friendships we have made and the support we have will forever be generated in Kans. The cold The wind and rain that chilled Kansas It City during the convention did little to dampen the spirits of the participants. Warm smiles brightened the cold mornings, and the cold opened more than 41,000 pairs of eyes wide. The conventional has a part of "yes." Delegates discussed 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.
Learning to realize a vision can come from understanding the connections with the past. Seeing where others have gone before and the progress made through change can hold the key to achieving our own goals. As Corey Rosenbusch, the new FFA National President, banged the gavel to mark the end of the 69th National FFA Convention, this year's events became another part of FFA history. The National FFA Convention provides an excellent opportunity for members of FFA's international programs to interact with each other and with Americans from across the country. These students follow a six-month exchange program. Sergei Moisajenko (left) and Dimitriy Ryabinin (second from left) are from Russia and currently live in Burley, Id. Tatiana Tyshuk (front right), from Ukraine, also lives in Burley.
All national finalists received a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque and an invitation to participate in a seminar trip to Costa Rica in 1997. AmericanStarFarmer and AmericanStar in Agribusines each earned an additional $1,000 cash prize. Mike Espy, USDA secretary at the time of the outbreak, said, "We will not compromise on the status quo of meat inspection, and I hope that a special audit of meatpacking plants will send a clear message that we are serious about implementing rigorous inspections."
NATIONAL WINNER ($300)
SECOND PLACE ($275)
THIRD PLACE ($250)
FOURTH PLACE ($225)
NATIONAL WINNER
RUNNER UP
NATIONAL FINALISTS
AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS
AGRICULTURAL SALES
DAIRY
SURGE
DAIRY FOODS
FARM BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
FLORICULTURE
HORSE
LIVESTOCK JUDGING
MARKETING PLAN ACTIVITY AWARDS
MEATS EVALUATION AND TECHNOLOGY
NURSERY/LANDSCAPE
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
POULTRY
BEEF PRODUCTION- PLACEMENT
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
AGRICULTURAL
MECHANICAL/TECHNICAL SYSTEMS—
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MECHANICAL/TECHNICAL SYSTEMS— PLACEMENT
AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING
AND/OR SERVICE
BEEF PRODUCTION—
CEREAL GRAIN PRODUCTION
DAIRY PRODUCTION—
PROFICIENCY AWARD *7*
DAIRY PRODUCTION- PLACEMENT
DIVERSIFIED CROP PRODUCTION—
DIVERSIFIED CROP PRODUCTION-
DIVERSIFIED LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION—
DIVERSIFIED LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION-
PLACEMENT
EMERGING AGRICULTURAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE
EQUINE SCIENCE
FEED GRAIN PRODUCTION—
FEED GRAIN
PRODUCTION— PLACEMENT
FIBER CROP PRODUCTION
FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRUIT AND/OR
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
HOME AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
NURSERY OPERATIONS
OIL CROP PRODUCTION
OUTDOOR RECREATION
POULTRY PRODUCTION
SHEEP PRODUCTION
SMALL ANIMAL CARE
SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT
SPECIALTY ANIMAL PRODUCTION
SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCTION
SWINE PRODUCTION—
SWINE PRODUCTION PLACEMENT
TURF GRASS MANAGEMENT
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
National award winners breakfast sponsored by Butler Manufacturing Company Foundation on behalf of Butler Rural Buildings, Butler Grain Systems and Lester Building Systems. ARIZONA:MichelleL.Better,ChinoValley; Jeff Bitterli, Peoria; Justin D. Brereton, Peoria; Brandi N. Dobson, Antelope; Christopher Dugan, Casa. Hiesterman,Washington;Patrick D. Kopfer, Clay Center;JasonA.Lacey,MariasDes CygnesValley;JacobM.Larison,Riverton;Milo H.Lippelmann,Oberlin;KelliLudlem,.
RuthL.Shahan,FairfieldUnion; BradShane, Upper Sandusky;CrystalSharrock,Ada;John Shertzer,BowlingGreen; BradJ.Smith, Keystone;JasonL.Smith,TeaysValley;Steven R.Smith,Hillsdale;MatthewSnider,Sheridan North;MichelleSnyder,NorthwesternClark;. ClintHopper, Riverside; BubbaHumphreys, Halls; AngelaG.Johnson, WhiteHouse;John Marshall, Riverdale;KerryS.Mayes,Warren County;DavidE.McCarty,AndersonCounty;. ToddMonson,Darlington;JodyMyhre,Osseo-Fairchild;John Nesson,SunPrairie;JillO'Leary, Milton;EricJ.Onan,Amherst;JasonL.Opie, BlackHawk-SouthWayne;TerryJ.Opie,Black Hawk-SouthWayne;BrendaPietz,Wittenberg-Bimamwood; Mike Pollesch, Randolph; Dale Quam, Stoughton; Grant Radtke,Weyauwega-Fremont;JonE.Rasmussen,Brillion;Amanda Reed,Milton;AmyL.
THREE STAR CHAPTERS
NATIONAL WINNER- STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL WINNER-
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL WINNER- CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT
TWO STAR CHAPTERS
ONE STAR CHAPTERS
34; In the light. From the moment we were born, we were instinctively drawn towards the light. For example, when I was three years old, I remember going to my grandfather's funeral. I didn't understand what was going on, but I knew Grandpa wasn't there to play with. Such a failure, and I wondered who I was and what I stood for. You probably understand what those feelings are like. We don't try to make a difference because that would be singled out and humiliated. We pretend to be happy, but when we look in the mirror we see a mask that hides the sadness inside. You know what?
Hope for the future is the foundation of the world's empires, and yet this same hope is the foundation of our personal happiness and success. When the web begins to live each day with hope, it changes everything. We set goals and believe that they will come true. It's amazing how often we do this in life. We spend days, months and years searching through piles of shoes that belong to others. I would give anything to change the shoes of great athletes to walk on the moon or live. Why do dreams remain unfulfilled, goals unachieved and potential unrealized? I believe one of the most important factors is fear. I'm not talking about fear of authority, fear of injury, or fear of others. The biggest fear that limits our potential is the fear of failure. Every major has felt the fear of failure. , whether we present ourselves to others, we carry experience and fear of failure. I have felt this fear many times in my life and in FFA.
I'm not too much, but I'm not short. I'm not extremely overweight, but I'm not skinny either. I have a slightly receding hairline, but I'm not bald.. Yet! I am 100 percent bonafide average! And there's nothing I can do about it.
Rigsby made an impact on FFA members who attended Thursday's session, with many stopping to chat with the motivational speaker after his speech. TerryBradshaw, FOXsportscaster and Super Bowl champion, delivered an inspired, enthusiastic message about football and life during Wednesday's. Debbye Turner, former Miss America and a television host, kicked off the rally not once, but twice during Thursday's morning sessions. Her visit was sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The RCA record player entertained the crowds and made them scream even more. He spoke at two sessions Thursday and was available to sign autographs and meet with FFA members at the National FFA Alumni Association booth for several hours Thursday and Friday.
34;But you gotta be tough when it's consumed by lust 'cause it ain't enough to stand out of the fire." In this song, Garth Brooks makes a point that we can't afford to stand out of the fire—we must jump in and try things, take risks and explore all possibilities to have his best life.
The opening session on Friday featured the convention theme, "Securing the Promise." According to Valencia, the theme represents the association's mission to strive to be "an educated grassroots network across this country to support the largest student organization in the world." After the introduction of the 11-member Alumni Council and recognition of past National FFA Alumni Presidents, the highlight of Friday's session was keynote speaker Rudy Ruettiger, whose life was the inspiration for the film "Rudy."
AWARDS
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
In recognition of their many years of dedication to FFA and alumni, Josidh Phelps (left), Donald Noack and June "Granny" Dean received the National FFA Alumni Association's Outstanding Achievement Awards. Denmark, Wis., is a retired cheese maker who has served as a section representative on the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Council and is actively involved in the high school's agricultural education program. June "Grandma" Dean, for.
BUSINESS
AUCTION
FFA SUPPORTERS
AGRICULTURE TEACHERS
RETIRING NATIONAL FFA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES AND
CONSULTANTS
PARENTS OF
NATIONAL OFFICERS
PARENTS OF STAR IN
AGRIBUSINESS AND
STAR FARMER FINALISTS
AND WINNERS
Johnson, president of FarmProgressCompanies, Inc., introduced next year's foundation. Sponsors Board Chairman-Elect Wayne L.Beck.Beckis Vice President—Supply Management for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. As the incoming president, Beck announced that the 1997 Foundation, the FA, will keep the organization in line with the theme.
35-YEAR SPONSORS
25-YEAR SPONSORS
SPONSORS' BOARD EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
15-YEAR SPONSORS
RETIRING SPONSORS'
BOARD
NEW AND CONTINUING SPONSORS' BOARD
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CITATIONS
Dr.AlanA.KahlerofAmes, Iowa, served as Superintendent of the National FFAF Floriculture Competition from 1979-94 and served as a major contributor to FFA national level horticultural activities. Heisonstaff at Iowa State University. The SargentAward recognizes individuals who have helped FFA membership become more diverse. Pictured left to right are JaniceKeene, manager of public information for Merck AgVetDivision, the award sponsor; awardees William Sam Combs of Bristow, Okla.; Walter Jones of Pinetops, N.C.; and Meecee Baker, accepting the award for Dr.
HALL OF STATES EXHIBITORS
AGCO
HeatherDriggers, DixieSr.;JolieGillis, Ponce de LeonSr.;DustyHolley,Aubumdale;Kyle Hudson, Ponce deLeon;AmyPerry,Belleview Sr.;MikeReynolds, Kathleen;AbbySameck, InterlachenSr.;JeffSatinSr.;JeffSatin,Smi,Chris r. Bollinger,Cochrane-FountainCity;Bradley Chandler, Rice Lake;RebeccaGruenwald, Montello;ReginaHitchcock,Cambridge;Kori Koser,EauClaireMemorial;MarshahLepianka, GreenBayEast;SusanLong,OcontoFalls;.
CD-ROM
The Convention's general sessions, presented in the Municipal Auditorium, gave members the opportunity to hear motivational speakers, cheer their members on their achievements, and enjoy spectacular sounds and performances. FFAA Awards: Second Prepared and Outstanding Speaking Contests College/Major:TexasA&MUniversity, freshman, agricultural development Career goal: agriculture instructor, policy.
