Central District Speech Contest Winners Announced

The 2015 American Farmers & Ranchers Central District speech contest was held Nov. 10 at Tecumseh Okla.

The winners include:

• AFR Novice:  1^st, Noah McConnell, Wellston; 2^nd, Taylor McConnell, Wellston;3^rd, Marley Griffith, Shawnee.
• AFR Junior: 1^st, Addison Hunt, Wellston; 2nd, Kyligh Merrick, Dale.
• AFR Intermediate:  1^st, Parker Terrel, Prague.
• AFR Senior: 1^st, Emiley Shell, Bethel; 2^nd, Kohl Murray, Perkins.
• Student Organization, Junior: 1^st, Cassidy Baughman, Lone Grove.
• Student Organization, Intermediate:  1^st, Emily Kennedy, Edmond; 2^nd, Emma Rich, Prague; 3^rd, Amarie Griffith, Cushing.
• Student Organization, Senior: 1^st, Augustus Warne, Wellston.
• Natural Resources, Junior: 1^st, Hunter Evans, Wellston.
• Natural Resources Intermediate: 1^st, Jacob Greller, Cushing; 2^nd, Hadley Griffith, Shawnee; 3^rd, Seth Jackson, Bethel.
• Natural Resources, Senior: 1^st, Shante Seals, Maysville; 2nd, Caleb Miller, Edmond; 3^rd, Shae Grooms, Edmond.
• Agribusiness Junior: 1^st, Carson Candler, Cushing; 2nd, Faith Howe, Sulphur.
• Agribusiness Intermediate: 1^st, Jackson Moore, Edmond; 2^nd Caden Candler, Cushing; 3^rd, Jessica Kenville, Edmond.
• Agribusiness Senior: 1^st, Madi Baughman, Lone Grove;2^nd, Curt Richardson, Elmore City; 3^rd, KC Soderstrom, Wellston.
• Agriscience Junior: 1^st, Keelyn Schaefer, Stillwater; 2nd, Hillary Hill, Turner;3^rd, Tre Sellars, Wellston.
• Agriscience Intermediate:  1^st, Blake randall, Edmond; 2^nd, Bryant Hague, Edmond; 3^rd, Ryanne Richardson, Turner.
• Agriscience Senior: 1^st, Lauren Lacey, Edmond; 2^nd, Abby Black, Lone Grove; 3^rd, Sage Holder, Edmond.

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