Proceedings, 1997

NAT! O N A L
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Dazzling laser light shows capped off convention sessions,
accompanied by slides, music and smoke to present a show for eyes
and ears. More than 44,000 people watched the convention's events
unfold from the main arena, or on closed-circuit television in Bartle.
Seating in the arena was rearranged to accommodate more attendees,
and the Reflections program and opening session were held twice to
allow everyone to take part.
The stage might be in this members' future, who entertained the
audience with a melody in Spanish during a National FFA Talent
Revue performance. Many aspiring singers, musicians and dancers
showed their forte in front of an audience of thousands.
5
A fowndationfor
Excellence
A broad base of corporate, community and alumni support is
the bedrock of the FFA. Convention-goers cheered their thanks
to hundreds of sponsonng organizations and companies that
contributed a record sum of $7. 1 million to the National FFA
Foundation. Other former members, along with business and
community leaders, were honored for outstanding achieve-
ment and contnbutions to the organization.
Members hoped to cash in on experience, education
and service. Stars Over America finalists spent years laying
the groundwork for their SAE projects, and it paid off for
South Dakota's Mike Mclntyre and Ohio's Mark Dudgeon,
this year's Stars. Six dedicated members from a field of 39
were selected for the ultimate service role, national officer.
Other convention attendees made contacts and built
networks for getting that dream job.