80th Annual AFR Southwest District Speech Contest Challenges Oklahoma Youth

CACHE— American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) continued its annual fall speech contest series on Monday, Nov. 17 at Cache High School in Cache.

 

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 Cricket Collin, Frederick; 2^nd Raycie Burns, Walters; 3^rd Mesa Walden, Hinton

Junior: 1^st Claira Stafford, Altus

Intermediate: 1^st Alice Park, Calumet; 2^nd Kendle Cunningham, Lawton

 

Agriscience

Junior: 1^st Alexia Porras, Hinton; 2^nd Lacy Grimes, Fletcher; 3^rd: Wyatt Basford, Amber-Pocasset

Intermediate: 1^st Lincoln Stafford, Altus; 2^nd Jack Ferrell, Amber-Pocasset; 3^rd Kara Pettijohn, Alex

Senior: 1^st Carson Payne, Thomas Fay Custer; 2^nd Paige Morris, Hydro-Eakly; 3^rd Emma Chandler, Altus

 

Agribusiness

Intermediate: 1^st Chandra Wright, Grandfield; 2^nd Mattie Sheffield, Grandfield

Senior: 1^st Bailey Matlock, Cyril; 2^nd Macy Biddy, Thomas Fay Custer; 3^rd Rance Nitzel, Calumet

 

Animal Science

Intermediate: 1^st Ali Garrison, Arapaho-Butler; 2^nd Maisie Perez, Lawton

Senior: 1^st Landry Hunt, Grandfield; 2^nd Emry Lee, Elgin; 3^rd Kashen Todd, Cache

 

Natural Resources

Intermediate: 1^st Makenna Smith, Hinton; 2^nd Serenity Hammond, Grandfield; 3^rd Bailee Ferguson, Grandfield

Senior: 1^st Cierra Collins, Frederick; 2^nd Emma Catlin, Hinton; 3^rd Emma Coker, Erick

 

Ag Policy

Senior: 1^st Huntley Kreutziger, Frederick; 2^nd Audrey Warner, Cache; 3^rd Christian Mausker, Elgin

 

Extemporaneous

Senior: 1^st Kaisyn Coats, Hinton; 2^nd Lilly Roush, Amber-Pocasset; 3^rd Joshua Toller, Indiahoma

 

“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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