ffanewhorizons.org ffanewhorizons.org Drum Roll,Please National convention attracts 53,000 members to Indy Picture This! Browse our convention photos at Keep in Touch ‘Netiquette’ tips for chatting with convention friends NEW HORIZONS NEW HORIZONS THE MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION | February 2008 FFA FFA ®
Recap the 2007 National FFA Convention and learn safe ways to stay in touch with friends in the February 2008 edition of FFA New Horizons, the official publication for all 500,000+ members of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America.
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Drum Roll, PleaseNational convention attracts 53,000 members to Indy
Picture This! Browse our convention photos at
Keep in Touch‘Netiquette’ tips for chattingwith convention friends
NEW HORIZONSNEW HORIZONST H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E N A T I O N A L F F A O R G A N I Z A T I O N | F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8
FFAFFA®
FFA Volume 55 Number 3
The magazine of the National FFA OrganizationNENEW W HORIZONS®
JULIE WOODARD Editorial Director KIM NEWSOM Editor JOYCE CARUTHERS Copy Editor JESSY YANCEY Editorial Assistant CAROL COWAN, REBECCA DENTON Contributing Writers KEITH HARRIS Creative Director JEFF ADKINS, WES ALDRIDGE, Staff Photographers TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, MICHAEL W. BUNCH, IAN CURCIO, BRIAN McCORD NATASHA LORENS Production Director CHRISTINA CARDEN Assistant Production Director HAZEL RISNER Pre-Press Coordinator MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT Production Project Managers LAURA GALLAGHER, VIKKI WILLIAMS Senior Graphic Designers CANDICE HULSEY, AMY NELSON Graphic Designers MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER, Ad Traffic PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY Sales Support Manager/ PATTI CORNELIUS Custom Magazines GARY SMITH Distribution Director SHAWN DANIEL Web Design Director ANDY HARTLEY Web Project Manager RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ Web Designers CORY MITCHELL Color Imaging Technician KRISTY MEYER, FFA Communications AMBER STRIEGEL RAY LANGEN Executive Vice President CARLA H. THURMAN Sr. V.P./Sales CASEY E. HESTER Sr. V.P./Operations MARK FORESTER V.P./Visual Content TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./Editorial Director JEFFREY S. OTTO Photography Director KIMBERLY JOHNSON Integrated Media Manager AMY AKIN Marketing Coordinator For advertising information, contact Kimberly Johnson, (800) 333-8842, ext. 277, or e-mail [email protected].
National FFA Officers ZACH KINNE, MO President BECKY SULLIVAN, KS Secretary TYLER TENBARGE, IN Eastern Region Vice President MORGAN PARKER, CO Central Region Vice President BRADY REVELS, FL Southern Region Vice President KARI BOETTCHER, OR Western Region Vice President
National FFA Staff LARRY CASE National Advisor, Chief Executive Officer DOUG LOUDENSLAGER Chief Operating Officer MARION FLETCHER National Treasurer MARK CAVELL, DALE CRABTREE, Division Directors TOM KAPOSTASY, JANET MALONEY, ANNA MELODIA, DENNIS SARGENT, KENT SCHESCKE, VICKI SETTLE, LEE ANNE SHILLER, TONY SMALL, BILL STAGG, WILL WAIDELICH
National FFA Board of Directors – Members LARRY CASE Chair, USDE, VA MARION FLETCHER Treasurer, State Supervisor, AR STEVE BROWN State Supervisor/USDE, MI ROBERT B. CALVIN Agiculture Teacher/USDE, MO THOMAS DORMODY Teacher Educator/USDE, NM DENNIS FISCUS State Supervisor, AZ STEVE GASS State Supervisor, TN IKE KERSHAW State Supervisor, OH JASON LARISON Agriculture Teacher/USDE, KS JOEL LARSEN State Supervisor, MN
Subscription Information:FFA New Horizons (ISSN 1069-806X) is published Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct. and Dec. by the National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN46268-0960. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art or any other unsolicited materials. For subscription information contact: FFA New Horizons Subscription Services, (317) 802-4235 or e-mail [email protected]. Periodical postage rate is paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and additional mail offices.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to FFA New Horizons, P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960.
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Please recycle this magazine
On the Cover2007 National FFA Band performs in downtown Indianapolis Photo By Todd Bennett
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3FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FEBRUARY 2008 Contents
6 cover storyDrum Roll, Please80th National FFA Convention attracts 53,000 FFA members to Indianapolis
4 ScrapbookRead news, jokes and more.
10 FFA FacesWin a Chevy T-shirt.
12 Your MoneyLearn tips for chapter fundraisers.
14 Healthy LifestylesFind safe ways to keep in touch with friends.
16 National Officer Q & AMeet President Zach Kinne.
18 How-To…Plan your own day of service.
March in OctoberThe sounds of FFA musicians and
vocalists drifted throughout downtown
Indianapolis on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007,
as the National FFA Band and Chorus
members paraded down FFA Way for the
National FFA Convention Grand March.
Led by baton-twirling Iowa FFA
member Karen Whitman, the Grand
March procession winded its way from
the Indiana Convention Center (where
the band performed at the FFA National
Agricultural Career Show) to Conseco
Fieldhouse for the first general session.
ONLINE See our 360-degree photo
of the Grand March and a slideshow
of convention musical performances.
Just JokingWhat do you call a milk cow walking through tall grass?
A major convention attraction was the Toyota Partner Robot, which walked onto a stage and played the trumpet several times daily in the Career Show. The robot has special technology that allows its artificial lips to play the trumpet. Visit ffanewhorizons.org for more career show photos and a 360-degree
image of the Stihl log-sawing booth.
PaulMcCutchan1932-33 national FFA officer
ffanewhorizons.orgffanewhorizons.org
Go online to read a web-exclusive interview with McCutchan.
Q What is one of your favorite memories
from your national officer year ?
A Our national officer team took a trip to
Washington, D.C., in January of 1933. We
met President Roosevelt right after he
was elected, and his speech to us was the first
he had given to anyone. It was my first trip to
D.C., and we had a Cadillac that chauffeured
us around. For a West Virginia farm boy, that
was a big deal.
Back Talk with
Surfin’ USA in Indy
Even though Indianapolis enjoyed
crisp autumn weather during the
convention, FFA members entered a
tropical paradise, filled with beach
balls and lighted leis.
Their goal? To sing along with the
world-famous Beach Boys (joined by
well-known actor John Stamos) to classic
hits like “Surfin’ USA,” “California Girls”
and “Good Vibrations.”
Although it was a first FFA experience
for several Beach Boys bandmates, they
enjoyed the spirit and excitement of the
convention – even inviting several FFA
members onstage during one of the
final songs.
For more photos from the Beach Boys
concert, visit ffanewhorizons.org.
5FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
6 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FuturesBuilding Bright
A thrilling recap of the 80th National FFA Convention
Nearly 35,000 convention attendees pack Conseco Fieldhouse for the opening session.
Story by Jessy Yancey
For a few days each fall, FFA
members from across the
United States, Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands come together
for the nation’s largest – and probably
the most exciting – student gathering.
From its awe-inspiring speakers
and rocking musical performances
to the info-packed workshops and
enlightening tours, the national
FFA convention offers a wealth of
activities that some members
spend all year anticipating.
Last October marked the 80th
annual national FFA convention –
with an astounding 53,631 attendees
– and its second year in Indianapolis.
Convention kicked off on
Wednesday afternoon with the first
ever Grand March, in which the
National FFA Band and the National
FFA Chorus paraded down Georgia
Street, which was once again
transformed into the pedestrian-
friendly FFA Way.
The talented band and chorus
members – who had been practicing
together for just a few days – put on
an incredible show, marching from
the RCA Dome all the way to the
FFA members compete in the National Floriculture Career Development Event.
stage inside Conseco Fieldhouse.
The memorable opening session
featured National FFA Advisor Dr.
Larry Case, who noted that he was
“lucky” to get to where he is today –
but there’s much more to building
a bright future than being lucky.
“Luck doesn’t just fall out of
the sky,” Case said in his stirring
speech. “Luck is what happens when
preparation meets opportunity. We
make our own luck by working hard,
learning all we can and developing
our skills to the best of our abilities.”
“No one accomplishes anything
significant by waiting to get lucky,” he
continued. “Everything you’re doing
in school and at this national FFA
convention is preparing you to become
what you’re meant to be. When you’re
ready, opportunity will be there.”
And opportunities abounded at
convention. Students were able to
tour museums, farms, universities
and other sites around the city. At
the Indiana Convention Center, they
could learn more about their dream
college or profession at the FFA
National Agricultural Career Show –
the largest ever – which featured
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hundreds of exhibits filled with
activities, ranging from boulder
throwing to simulated log sawing.
In the midst of the career show,
there was even a lounge area
scattered with plush pillows for
anyone who needed a break from
all the convention excitement.
But it’s hard to sit still when
there’s so much to experience. The
Hall of States offered insight into
our country’s agricultural
diversity, while the annual FFA
alumni auction featured online
bidding for the first year ever.
Up at the Indiana State
Fairgrounds, hundreds of students
competed in national career develop-
ment events, and it was also one of
12 sites where FFA National Days of
Service took place.
Also on Thursday, students were
treated to the National FFA Talent
Revue, in which 15 acts from across
the country each put on stellar
shows, whether they were belting
out famous ballads, tap dancing
or twirling flaming batons.
Later that night, the legendary
Beach Boys with special guest John
Stamos (of TV’s “Full House” and
most recently “ER”) rocked the RCA
Dome, where Montgomery Gentry
had played for an enthusiastic
audience the night before.
Of course, there was much more
than entertainment. From Dr. Rick
Rigsby motivating attendees to
“move from making an impression to
making an impact” to TV and movie
star Henry Winkler noting that
“every one of you is unbelievably
powerful,” the keynote speakers
were heartfelt and encouraging.
According to Puerto Rico State
Secretary Krystal Pagan, the most
touching speeches were the 2006-07
national officer retiring addresses.
It was sad to see them go, but
Beau, Kacy, Jamie, Janette, Coty and
Jennifer stepped down to make room
for six new faces who went through
the same grueling interview and
evaluation process to become the
2007-08 National FFA Officers.
From a pool of 40 candidates, the
nine nominating committee members
selected President Zach Kinne,
Secretary Becky Sullivan, Eastern
Region Vice President Tyler Tenbarge,
Southern Region Vice President Brady
Revels, Central Region Vice President
Morgan Parker and Western Region
Vice President Kari Boettcher.
Over the next year, each of these
officers will play a part in building a
bright future for themselves and the
National FFA Organization.
But whether you’re a national
officer, a convention attendee or an
FFA member who watched convention
coverage from home, the opportunity
to build a bright future is there for you.
“There are plenty of good things
happening in these jackets – in your
chapters and in our lives,” 2006-07
National President Beau Williamson
said, during his retiring address.
“You just have to look for it. Our
experiences in FFA – they will take
us as far as we will let them.”
Visit ffa.org to view
“Proceedings,” the official record
of the 80th National FFA Convention.
Elected during the final session of the 80th national FFA convention, the 2007-08 national officers are President Zach Kinne, Secretary Becky Sullivan, Central Region Vice President Morgan Parker, Southern Region Vice President Brady Revels, Eastern Region Vice President Tyler Tenbarge and Western Region Vice President Kari Boettcher.
8 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
Jason ReichertChapter: Brunswick FFA
A freshman at the University of Missouri, Jason is studying
agricultural business. He was a member of the 2006 national
champion FFA agronomy team and placed fourth individually.
Jason is a former chapter president, received the State FFA Degree
and graduated as class valedictorian. He also enjoys helping on
his family’s row crop and livestock farm.
MO SD
ID
IN
Luke HoltChapter: Redfield FFA
Kortney BahemChapter: Homedale FFA
Ryan AlexanderChapter: Union City FFA
Emily CoffieldChapter: John Marshall FFA
WV
This high school senior has won the chapter leadership award
for the past two years, and she says she works hard to help
her chapter stand out, especially when compared to larger
chapters in the area. Emily shows lambs and hogs at her county
fair and enjoys riding horses in her spare time. Emily hopes
to someday become an agriculture teacher.
An eighth-grade member, Luke placed in the top 10 for the FFA
Creed Speaking Career Development Event (CDE) last year and
placed second at the regional livestock judging event. He has
had perfect attendance at his school for the past seven years
and maintains a 4.0 grade-point average. Luke also participates
in band, chorus, football and track.
Currently serving as chapter vice president, Kortney helps with
community service activities like roadside cleanups and outreach
programs. She also enjoys showing horses and, in 2006, was
named the most inspirational senior at the Owyhee County Fair.
Kortney works for Whiskey Creek Farms in Kuna, Idaho, in exchange
for English riding and jumping lessons.
PRJiomar Santiago FelicianoChapter: Las Marías FFA
A high school freshman, Jiomar is enjoying his second year of FFA
membership. His supervised agricultural experience program
(SAE) focuses on poultry production, and his project won first
place at the state level. Jiomar also won second place in the
prepared public event at the state convention, and he hopes to
eventually be elected to a state FFA office.
KSKelly Ann AtchisonChapter: Burlingame FFA
A recent high school graduate, Kelly enjoyed showing livestock
through her FFA membership. She raises rabbits and beef cattle,
and has been recognized with numerous grand champions. Kelly
enjoys judging livestock and represented her county at the Kansas
State University Livestock Judging Contest. She also volunteers
with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
A high school junior, Ryan is serving as his chapter’s historian. He
has also participated in public speaking and livestock judging –
even being named as the top livestock judge of Randolph County
his freshman year. Besides his FFA involvement, Ryan is a member
of 4-H and a two-time inductee into the Who’s Who Among
American High School Students program.
Win a Chevrolet T-ShirtChevrolet, the sponsor of FFA Faces, will award