79th Annual AFR Southwest District Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth

CACHE— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series Monday, Nov. 18 at Cache High School in Cache.

 

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 Merritt Major, Calumet; 2^nd Saylor Norvell, Amber-Pocasset; 3^rd Patton Harrison, Big Pasture

Junior: 1^st Claira Stafford, Altus; 2^nd Ruth Cooper, Amber-Pocasset

Intermediate: 1^st Alice Park, Calumet; 2^nd Emma Gallagher, Altus; 3^rd Aubrey Hunt, Grandfield

Senior: 1^st Meredith Pye, Mountain View Gotebo

 

 

Agriscience

Junior: 1^st Kynslee Bush, Amber-Pocasset; 2^nd Wyatt Basford, Amber-Pocasset; 3^rd Kinley Vanness, Amber-Pocasset

Intermediate: 1^st Layla Senters, Chattanooga; 2^nd Sophia Roush, Arapaho-Butler; 3^rd Bella Dean, Calumet

Senior: 1^st Jacob Mannen, Fletcher; 2^nd Bonham Eslick, Elgin; Paige Morris, Hydro-Eakly

 

Agribusiness

Intermediate: 1^st Aubrey Sturgeon, Cordell; 2^nd Acelyn Wood, Grandfield; 3^rd Serenity Hammond, Grandfield

Senior: 1^st Addyson Schneberger, Hydro-Eakly; 2^nd Jake Vulgamore, El Reno; 3^rd Kallyn Turner, Amber-Pocasset

 

Natural Resources

Intermediate: 1^st Lincoln Stafford, Altus; Mason Kakesh, Cache; 3^rd Grace Crosswhite, Snyder

Senior: 1^st Emily Warner, Cache

 

Ag Policy

Intermediate: 1^st Madilyn Norvell, Amber-Pocasset; 2^nd Audrey Warner, Cache; 3^rd Kashen Todd, Cache

Senior: 1^st Gage Grimes, Fletcher; 2^nd Caylee McPherson, Minco; 3^rd Sophia Kamm, El Reno

 

Extemporaneous

Senior: 1^st Laela Begley, Elgin; 2^nd Kinsley Howard, Rush Springs; 3^rd Madison Dunn, Rush Springs

 

“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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