Proceedings, 1997

Breaking
New ground
The FFA is building a new future as it moves into the next millennium. Proficiency awards and career development
events have been updated to challenge members to find the best uses for new technology. The presence of the Internet
is stronger than ever, thanks to the FFA homepage and the growing legions of Net surfers who link up to the opportu-
nities in agriculture.
FFA continues to strive to develop members with a diversity of character and experience, but who still embody the
organizations guiding principles of "premier leadership, personal growth and career success." Whether examining
potential careers, exchanging ideas with others from
across the country, or paying close attention to the
words of speakers, convention-goers were challenged to
think about themselves, their peers and their FFA
experiences in a whole new way.
While continuing to grow and evolve on the inside,
the FFAs outward appearance is also changing to reflect
the needs of members in the years to come. The move
from the organizations home in Alexandria, Va., to its
new headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., will be
complete before the Municipal Auditorium opens its
doors to FFA members next year one last time. The new
center will serve as the foundation for FFAs march into
coming years, and the
membership has the
task of constructing the
route to prosperity. If
the 70th National
Convention is any
indicator, the members
of FFA are up to the
challenge of building
the future.
K '
National FFA Officers spent a year in th
meeting with members across the countr
V4-
spotlight
mm.'
s> * *
Hillary Smith dashes to the stage to meet her
fellow ojfieers and accept her role as FFAs leader
for 1997-98 after hearing her name called as
new national president.
FFA members possess many talents, not
all of them agricultural. Performers in
the talent revue captivated audiences
with their diverse acts.