State Speech Contest Winners Announced

The 2015 American Farmers & Ranchers state youth speech contest was held Dec. 5 on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Okla.

The winners include:

• AFR Novice:  1^st, Alec Anderson. Ringwood; 2^nd, Kole Campbell, Alfalfa County; 3^rd, Hayden Harper, Madill.
• AFR Junior: 1^st, Reagan Detrick, Ringwood; 2^nd, Braden Burns, Kingfisher; 3^rd, Addison Hunt, Wellston.
• AFR Intermediate:  1^st, Madelyn Gerken, Kingfisher; 2^nd, Parker Terrel, Prague; 3^rd, Drew Wright, Afton.
• AFR Senior: 1^st, Colton Smith, Kingfisher; 2^nd, Kohl Murray, Perkins; 3^rd, Maggie Martens, Fairview.
• Student Organization, Junior: 1^st, Jentry Squires, Kingfisher; 2^nd, Madison Stephens, Weatherford; 3^rd, Hannah Maxwell, Talihina.
• Student Organization, Intermediate:  1^st, Emily Kennedy, Edmond; 2^nd, Bree Kisling, Chishom; 3^rd, Emma Rich, Prague.
• Student Organization, Senior: 1^st, Guess Leonard, Sequoyah-Claremore; 2^nd, Holly Barrow, Kingfisher; 3^rd, Tucker Jackson, Calera.
• Natural Resources, Junior: 1^st, Tate Ott, Ringwood; 2^nd, Kaci Jackson, Kingfisher; 3^rd, Connor Auld, Kingfisher.
• Natural Resources, Intermediate: 1^st, Jacob Greliner, Cushing; 2^nd, Rio Bonham, Madill; 3^rd, Sophia Gallagher, Yukon.
• Natural Resources, Senior: 1^st, Chelsea Richison, Depew; 2^nd, Bryce Thralls, Calera; 3^rd, Shante Seals, Maysville.
• Agribusiness Junior: 1^st, Victoria Gerken, Kingfisher; 2^nd, Carosn Candler, Cushing; 3^rd, Harrison Themer, Kingfisher.
• Agribusiness Intermediate: 1^st, Emily Garrett, Kingfisher; 2^nd, Kenzie Cannaday, Adair; 3^rd, Hunter McConnell, Owasso.
• Agribusiness Senior: 1^st, Breckin Horton, Spiro; 2^nd, Emily Bennett, Yukon; 3^rd, Maddi Nation, Sapulpa.
• Agriscience Junior: 1^st, Elizabeth Perdue, Kingfisher; 2^nd, Chole Lack, Kingfisher; 3^rd, Landri Chaplin, Weatherford.
• Agriscience Intermediate:  1^st, Raegen Stephens, Weatherford; 2^nd, Braedon McKee, Duran; 3^rd, Blake Randall, Edmond.
• Agriscience Senior: 1^st, Jordan Storey, Valliant; 2^nd, Sydnee Gerken, Kingfisher; 3^rd, Shianne Hood, Calumet.

The AFR Speech Contest series consists of five district contests leading to the state competition. At each contest, students grades 4-12 compete in five categories—American Farmers & Ranchers, Natural Resources, Student Organizations, Agribusiness and Agriscience. First and second place winners in each category advance to the state speech contest, resulting in more than 150 finalists advancing.

This year marked the 71st year of the AFR speech contest series. The organization strives to provide Oklahoma youth opportunities to develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

The annual AFR speech contest highlights the talent of Oklahoma youth statewide. The contest is an excellent opportunity for agricultural students to showcase and hone their leadership and public speaking skills. It is an honor for students to make it to the state level and it is an honor for AFR to provide them with the opportunity.

The AFR speech contest series is just one of many AFR Youth Program traditions. The organization also hosts a poster contest, summer youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, livestock handling and skills contest, livestock judging and grading and many other leadership opportunities.

AFR had its beginning in 1905 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. The organization is actively supportive of Oklahoma’s agricultural industry and rural population, and provides educational, legislative and youth leadership development programs across the state. AFR Insurance provides automobile, home, farm and life insurance with an emphasis on quality products and exceptional customer service. Available statewide, AFR Insurance is recognized as a leading domestic insurance carrier with 162 agencies serving communities throughout Oklahoma.