79th Annual AFR Southeast District Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth

WILBURTON— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series Thursday, Nov. 14 at Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) in Wilburton.

 

This marks the 79^th year of the statewide contests. The event has gone through many changes over the years but has always maintained its central agricultural theme. Varying by grade level, this year’s speech categories are AFR/OFU, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Extemporaneous and Agri-Science.

 

Nearly 500 students will compete in AFR district speech contests this fall, resulting in more than 160 finalists advancing to the state contest. At the state level, the top three competitors in each category receive cash awards.

 

AFR/OFU

Novice: 1^st Saige Glover, Wetumka; 2^nd Mykah Parson, Valliant; 3^rd Amy Foust, Panola

Junior: 1^st Cason Ebert, Broken Bow; 2^nd Jern Lundry, Haworth; 3^rd Jamie Parson, Valliant

Intermediate: 1^st Gracie Rich, Strother; 2^nd Shaylee Davis, Silo; 3^rd Riley Pope, Boswell

Senior: 1^st Denver McBride, Silo; 2^nd Maddie Miller, Madill

 

Agriscience

Junior: 1^st Jalyn Lundry, Haworth; 2^nd Aliyah Browning, Idabel; 3^rd Spencer Lewis, Silo

Intermediate: 1^st Lilly Whittington, Silo; 2^nd Creed Pope, Boswell; 3^rd Layla Smith, Durant

Senior: 1^st Annie Miller, Durant; 2^nd Kaleigh Caldwell, Silo; 3^rd Kyleigh Eppler, Silo

 

Agribusiness

Intermediate: 1^st Maggie Cooper, Byng ; 2^nd Bria Turner, Madill; 3^rd Chris Henry, Boswell

Senior: 1^st Beau Griffin, Latta; 2^nd Austyn Rocha, Durant; 3^rd Ethan Smith, Stigler

 

Natural Resources

Intermediate: 1^st Teresa Aguinaga, Silo; 2^nd Lacy Cook, Red Oak; 3^rd Cedar Derby, Durant

Senior: 1^st Luke Lundry, Idabel; 2^nd Lydia Bullard, Durant; 3^rd Ava Converse, Durant

 

Ag Policy

Intermediate: 1^st Jackson Harper, Madill; 2^nd Audrey Clemmer, Silo; 3^rd Summer Christopher, Soper

Senior: 1^st Jocelyn James, Latta; 2^nd Olivia Clark, Silo; 3^rd Bailee Varner, Durant

 

Extemporaneous

Senior: 1^st Lauren Landgraff, Madill; 2^nd Daven Daniel, Durant; 3^rd Isabella Whitlock, Silo

 

“Public speaking is one of the most valuable skills young people can gain for their future careers,” said AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “We are honored to host the 79^th Annual AFR Speech Contest, which has a long-standing tradition of fostering professionalism and confidence in Oklahoma’s youth.”

 

The AFR Annual Speech Contest is just one of many AFR Youth Program traditions. The organization also hosts a youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, livestock judging and grading competitions, and many other development opportunities. For more information on this contest or other AFR Youth Program projects, contact AFR Youth Development Coordinator Michell Noggle at (405)218-5566 or [email protected].

 

AFR Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state’s agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voice in support of AFR principles.

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