80th Annual AFR Northwest District Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth

ENID— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) kick started its annual fall speech contest series Thursday, Nov. 20 at Autry Technology Center in Enid.

 

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 Mack Schnaithnam, Garber; 2^nd Haddie Roller, Cashion; 3^rd Swazie Ragan, Alva

Junior: 1^st Reed Carroll, Cashion; 2^nd Claire Voss, Chisholm; 3^rd Teegan Wittrock, Kingfisher

Intermediate: 1^st Maggie Carroll, Cashion; 2^nd Kilee Blehm, Mulhall-Orlando; 3^rd Kaylee Nauss, Leedey

 

Agriscience

Junior: 1^st Kreed Campbell, Jet; 2^nd Kamon Fisher, Seiling; 3^rd Adalyn Compston, Mooreland

Intermediate: 1^st Rylan Compston, Mooreland; 2^nd Lane Brown, Mulhall-Orlando 3^rd Kase Martin, Alva

Senior: 1^st Presley Squires, Dover; 2^nd Claire Myers, Lomega; 3^rd Addison Heil, Chisholm

 

Agribusiness

Intermediate: 1^stAddie Chestnut, Lomega; 2^nd Paige Redman, Timberlake; 3^rd Brayli Walker, Lomega

Senior: 1^st Madeline McClain, Leedey; 2^nd Emma Carter, Seiling; 3^rd Kingsley Fisher, Lomega

 

Animal Science

Intermediate: 1^st Kinley Jo Tolle, Texhoma; 2^nd Lasi Grabow, Lomega; 3^rd Camilla Villalobes, Goodwell

Senior: 1^st Caroline Swafford, Kingfisher; 2^nd Isabel Hansen, Lomega; 3^rd Sadie Wright, Lomega

 

Natural Resources

Intermediate: 1^st Kortney Campbell, 2^nd Merrit Mantz, Alva; 3^rd Fletcher Inman, Mulhall-Orlando

Senior: 1^st Hadley Ott, Lomega; 2^nd Kord Campbell, Jet; 3^rd Peyton Mayek, Chisholm

 

Ag Policy

Intermediate: 1^st Braylea Lawson, Mulhall-Orlando, Logan Snider, Chisholm, 3^rd Callen Frantz, Balko

Senior: 1^st Hannah Hays, Chisholm, 2^nd Hudsyn Boren, Leedey; 3^rd Ahn Pham, Goodwell

 

Extemporaneous

Senior: 1^st Annie Schneider, Seiling; 2^nd Katelie Martin, Alva; 3^rd Jude Vassar, Timberlake

 

“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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