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AFR Speech Contest State Finals Winners Announced

Monday, December 4th, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY­­­­­ - The 2017 American Farmers & Ranchers speech contest season culminated with the state contest held Dec. 2 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

Each of the state contestants previously participated in their district contests, where they must have placed first or second in their respective category and division in order to advance to state. In total, more than 120 students advanced to the state contest from the five districts across Oklahoma.

The winners include:

AFR/OFU Novice: 1st: Addyson Schneberger, Carnegie; 2nd: Gage McNeil, Elgin; 3rd: Lawson Hunt, Wellston

AFR/OFU Junior: 1st: Kelby Ott, Lomega; 2nd: Dax DeLozier, Adair; 3rd: Kolton Hunt, Wellston

AFR/OFU Intermediate: 1st: Bailee Collins, Elmore City-Pernell; 2nd: Halle Rowland, Silo; 3rd: Alexa Anderson, Ringwood

AFR/OFU Senior: 1st: Kabrin Martin, Harrah; 2nd: Drew Hardaway, Battiest; 3rd: Maggie Thompson, Elmore City-Pernell

Science & Natural Resources Junior: 1st: Bailey Hatfield, Weatherford; 2nd: Lillie Plane, Kiefer; 3rd: Rachel Roof, Elmore City-Pernell

Science & Natural Resources Intermediate: 1st: Landri Chaplin, Weatherford; 2nd: Elizabeth Perdue, Kingfisher; 3rd: Braden Burns, Kingfisher

Science & Natural Resources Senior: 1st: Jessica Kenville, Edmond; 2nd: Rylee Detrick, Ringwood; 3rd: Hannah Williams, Elmore City-Pernell

Agribusiness Junior: 1st: Katon Lunsford, Kingfisher; 2nd: Gage Dellin, Elmore City-Pernell; 3rd: Renae Edgar, Snyder

Agribusiness Intermediate: 1st: Allie Dixon, Burns Flat-Dill City; 2nd: Brett Forgy, Silo; 3rd: Reagan Detrick, Ringwood

Agribusiness Senior: 1st: Bree Kisling, Chisholm; 2nd: Madelyn Gerken, Kingfisher; 3rd: Kenzie Cannady, Adair

Ag Advocacy & Policy Junior: 1st: Wyatt Jensen, Altus; 2nd: Rebekah Rake, Owasso; 3rd: Andrea Martin, Byng

Ag Advocacy & Policy Intermediate: 1st: Jentry Squires, Kingfisher; 2nd: Madison Stephens, Weatherford; 3rd: Hannah Maxwell, Talihina

Ag Advocacy & Policy Senior: 1st: Rayli Cunningham, Laverne; 2nd: Addison Spicer, Fairview; 3rd: Emily Kennedy, Edmond

The AFR Speech Contests consist of five district contests and a state contest. At each contest, students in grades 4-12 compete in one of four categories – American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union, Science & Natural Resources, Agribusiness and Ag Advocacy & Policy.

This year marks the 73rd year of the AFR speech contests.

“We are proud to host a contest that highlights outstanding youth across Oklahoma,” said Micaela Danker, AFR Youth Development Coordinator. “The fall speech contests proves to be a successful event every year. It gives students the opportunity to gain knowledge about current issues and topics facing the agricultural industry as well as improve public speaking skills.”

The AFR speech contests are just one of several ways for Oklahoma’s youth to become involved in AFR. Poster contests, summer youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, livestock handling and skills contest, livestock judging and grading contests and many other leadership opportunities are available.

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.

 

Photos of the winners will be posted to the AFR youth Facebook page.