80th Annual AFR Northeast District Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth

SAPULPA— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Lone Star Elementary in Sapulpa.

 

This marks the 80^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, Animal Science 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 Grace Harrington, Nowata; 2^nd Harper Lamb, Nowata

Junior: 1^st Nevaeh Glass, Afton; 2^nd Aubri Hammons, Keys; 3^rd Dakota Caviness, Sallisaw

Intermediate: 1^st Ryder Ratliff, Coweta; 2^nd Sutton Brown, Jenks; 3^rd Haylee Dallis, Keys

Senior: 1^st Zoe Linhares, Broken Arrow

 

Agriscience

Junior: 1^st Daylyn Fesmire, Oklahoma Union; 2^nd Allie Enlow, Sapulpa; 3^rd Averi Bush, Bartlesville

Intermediate: 1^st Dacen DeLozier, Adair; 2^nd Macklin Davis, Adair; 3^rd Avery Wishard, Adair

Senior: 1^st Jade McPeak, Checotah; 2^nd Bailey Johnson, Jenks; 3^rd Lily Barner, Owasso

 

Agribusiness

Intermediate: 1^st Babe Carter, Sallisaw; 2^nd Abby Goodman, Pawnee; 3^rd Jacob Herchkorn, Ketchum

Senior: 1^st Tyse Buck, Depew; 2^nd Addison Swift, Adair; 3^rd Wyatt Gilbert, Mannford

 

Animal Science

Intermediate: 1^st Reese Hartman, Jenks; 2^nd Noah Crawford, Copan; 3^rd Tate Onraw, Inola

Senior: 1^st Hayden Moore, Depew; 2^nd Olivia Lunow, Kiefer; 3^rd Cate Newman, Jenks

 

Natural Resources

Intermediate: 1^st Breanna Shorler, Ketchum; 2^nd Maddie Biremelin, Keys

Senior: 1^st Paxton Brown, Jenks; 2^nd Brymna Herndon, Kiefer; 3^rd Kinlee Mindemann, Salina

 

Ag Policy

Intermediate: 1^st Olivia Harris, Sapulpa; 2^nd Jenna Bandy, Vinita

Senior: 1^st Kate Ezell, Jenks; 2^nd Jordan Slocum, Catoosa; 3^rd Kendal Spriggs, Afton

 

Extemporaneous

Senior: 1^st Leo Enlow, Sapulpa; 2^nd Rowan Beck, Mannford; 3^rd Nora Gray, Coweta

 

“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 80^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 Cara Comstock at (405)218-5566 or Cara [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 the AFR principles. 

 

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