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...

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... in public speaking is an important future farmer activity.

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Five finalists have come up victorious through local, state, and regional eliminations.

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Hawaii's entry is their first in national competition.

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And here's the winner, 18-year-old Jack Gunning of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

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Competition is always keen, and evidently the crowd is enjoying this year's event.

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There is pride and interest glowing on the faces of the staunch supporters,

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which indicates true admiration for developed ability.

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That may be only a scrap of paper, but to Jack Gunning, it's the first prize check for $250,

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which he's receiving from Treasurer Gross Close.

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We are now in the arena of the American Royal Livestock Show,

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where the National Vocational Agriculture Stock Judging Contests are in progress.

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The contestants, many of whom are FFA members, are giving attention to classes in sheep.

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The boys try their hand at judging dairy cattle.

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The contestants are working in squads under leaders.

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Every individual is on his own when he steps into the ring, and his judging card tells the story.

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Would you look at the Angus and Hereford's? The pick of the show.

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But it takes a practiced eye to spot essential differences in such animals,

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weigh and evaluate the points that count, and to reach a sound decision.

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It's learning by doing in the truest sense of the word, proving that future farmers know their livestock.

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Here's James Espy of Missouri, who shorthorn captured a blue ribbon in the Vocational Agriculture exhibit.

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David McDonald of Missouri, Robert Johnson of New Mexico, and Donald Folkerson of Missouri

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proudly show their prize winners.

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Donald Scaff was grand champion of the junior show.

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Well, it's Vocational Agriculture, FFA Day at the American Royal Livestock Show.

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The convention adjourns for half a day and everyone heads for the afternoon horse show.

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There's excitement aplenty.

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This parade of students of Vocational Agriculture is an annual affair.

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Led by the bands from Utah, Texas, and Missouri this year,

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the boys with colors flying, swinging behind and passing review

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before a crowd of 10,000 people.

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Watch the banners as they go by.

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It's farm youth on parade.

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Included are past and present national officers of the FFA, newly elected American farmers,

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delegates to the convention, and members of Vocational Judging Team.

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Everyone is on tiptoes because at the finish of the parade, announcements will be made concerning

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the Star Farmer of America, the outstanding member of the FFA for 1937.

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Who will he be?

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Well, he's somewhere in that group of 75 American farmers

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who were raised to the highest degree in the organization.

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To be named Star American Farmer as one of 150,000 farm youths is no small honor.

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Stretching from Maine to Awoy and from the state of Washington to Puerto Rico,

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the FFA organization inspires and encourages its members.

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In the finals, the records of 120 candidates for the American farmer degree were studied and scored.

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But that also means many other eliminations in the states previous to the final selection.

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It's competition among the cream of American farm youth.

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The J.C. Wright, Assistant Commissioner for Vocational Education,

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explains how star farmers are selected.

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He is followed by W.A. Cotchell, editor of the weekly Kansas City Star.

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And here we have it, the announcement of the Star Farmer of America.

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The winner, 21-year-old Robert Lee Bristow of Virginia,

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modestly accepts the honor.

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And the check for $500 offered for the ninth consecutive year by the weekly Kansas City Star.

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As Robert raises his eyes to the crowd and expresses appreciation,

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he is no doubt thinking of what a change this $500 will make in his farming plans.

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Honor confers the honorary American farmer degree upon J.C. Swift, American royal president.

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One of the highlights in the week's activities is an unusual ceremony entitled,

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Building the Flag, symbolizing the development of the organization.

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A representative from Virginia, the first chartered association,

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places the first star, followed in turn by other representatives of states in the order in which they were chartered.

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The flag is completed as the last star goes into place.

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That of the Mississippi Association, truly a patriotic observance.

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And everybody cheers, it's a grand sight.

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One to inspire any red-blooded American farm boy to want to belong to the Future Farmers of America organization.

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Then, National Advisor Linke presents a gold FFA medal to Star Farmer Bristow,

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and Advisor Jett and John Mefford of the Stamping Ground Kentucky Chapter and Alton Tassin of Louisiana

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receive national plaques on behalf of their respective units for outstanding accomplishment in 1937.

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We are now in the little theater of the Municipal Auditorium where a national FFA exhibit is on display.

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For the first time, many of those attending the convention see important and unusual products,

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many of which they have never seen before.

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Here, newly elected President Lester Poucher of Florida, 18 years old,

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receives congratulations from outgoing President Joe Black of Wyoming.

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A great experience. Good work, Joe. Good luck, Lester.

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And it's all over. The 10th Convention FFA celebration is history, and it made history.

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Homeward bound, the boys bid Kansas City a hasty farewell for another year.

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The foundation of the Future Farmers of America.

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Agriculture.

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Leadership.

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The Future Farmers of America.

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Into the Municipal Auditorium, Convention Headquarters swing these FFA lads from all parts of the country

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to celebrate 10 years of progress.

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Stepping into the grand foyer, we find boys from north, south, east, and west

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rubbing shoulders with one another at the registration booth.

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Some of these lads are official delegates, others are livestock judges,

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and still others are just visiting members who have come thousands of miles

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to participate in this nationwide celebration of their own organization.

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Well, well, everyone gets programs, badges, tickets to special events, and room assignments,

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if not already provided for.

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Just take a look at those snappy jackets with the organization emblem on the back.

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Certainly no chance of getting lost, and a sure means of identification anywhere.

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Let's step inside the convention hall. We're not cramped for room here.

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This arena holds 15,000 people. Delegates from 47 states in the territory of Hawaii

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are seated under the state standards.

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National offices are at their stations, each bearing its own significant symbol.

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Future leaders of a nation are getting unusual and varied experiences in conducting,

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under adult guidance, the affairs of this Future Farmers of America organization.

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Their problems are on the youth level, and they are attempting to solve as many of them as possible

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for themselves. See the expressions on their faces as they listen to

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the keynote address by President Joe Black of Wyoming.

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Mayor Bryce B. Smith extends a hearty welcome and leaves the keys to the city.

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Crowds, crowds everywhere, and the enthusiasm of youth, which is always contagious.

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A few years ago, it was unheard of for farm boys to travel halfway across the continent in groups,

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much less to have their own organization and finance its activities from their own pockets,

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which teaches them self-reliance and initiative.

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Little wonder they do things in a businesslike manner.

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The radio carried a graphic account of convention progress.

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Here we see W.E. Drip's Agricultural Director of the National Broadcasting Company

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introducing Joe Black in one of a series of national farm and home hour broadcasts

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direct from the floor of the convention.

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Did someone...

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The National Broadcasting Company presents

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I am very glad to welcome all of you to Washington.

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Even if you never make a great deal of money,

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at the same time, the odds are a thousand to one the other way

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that you'll never starve.

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The odds are a thousand to one that you'll always have a roof over your heads,

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that you'll have good educational facilities for your families.

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And that's a great deal more than a great many millions of other Americans

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in industrial life can be assured of.

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You're doing a fine job.

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Go back to your own home states and home counties and home towns

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and keep up the good work.