Proceedings, 1997

Stars Over America
Stars Over America film is sponsored by the Farm Service Agency,
United States Department ofAgriculture; and the General Fund of the
National FFA Foundation. Cash awards are sponsored by the executive
sponsors of the National FFA Foundation.
The spotlights illuminating the stage Thursday night dimmed in
companson to the beaming faces of the eight Stars Over America
finalists. These members had been awarded FFAs highest honor in
agribusiness and production agriculture, and it was a proud moment
as they stood with their parents and advisors before a cheering crowd
in Municipal Auditorium.
The audience had the opportunity to see firsthand the efforts
that brought the stars to Kansas City via a film that highlighted each
finalists' agricultural production or business operation. Each
finalists received $1,000, and both national stars received an addi-
tional $1,000 cash award. In addition, the parents of each finalist
was presented with the Honorary American FFA Degree.
Once the Stars Over Amenta names arc tailed, the winners are
caught up in a whirlwind oj meetings, interviews, receptions and other
media events. Orion Samuelson, oj Channel Earth Communications,
catches the stars in a post-session interview.
TZO
AMERICA
***•
A/i exultant Mark Dudgeon, American Star in Agribusiness
(right), shares a congratulatory handshake with American
Star Farmer Mike Mclntyre.
Mark Dudgeon, 20
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
East Knox FFA Chapter
American Star in Agribusiness
Dudgeon started his enter-
prise with a 12-by-12 green-
house in his backyard made
from scrap material. He now
rents and manages three-and-
a-half acres of trees, shrubs and
seedling beds in North Carolina.
Mike Mclntyre, 21
Winfred, S.D.
Lake Central FFA Chapter
American Star Farmer
Sound financial management is
essential to Mclntyres 500-head
cattle operation. He uses the Data
Transmission Network and
forecasting reports to make his
livestock marketing decisions.