A number of local students placed in their category at the American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Northwest District Speech Contest held Nov. 21 in Enid.

Among them were two from Dover, five from Lomega and eight from Kingfi sher.

Dover’s Katelyn Harviston placed first in Junior Science and Cody Barker placed third in the same category.

From Lomega, Tate Ott placed first in Senior AFR/ OFU; Whitney Glazier placed first in Senior Agribusiness;HadleyOttplaced first in Novice AFR/OFU; Kelby Ott placed second in Intermediate AFR/OFU; and Madi Myers placed second in Intermediate Science.

Five students placed first in their categories: Kaci Jackson in Senior Science, Jentry Squires in Senior Natural Resources, Alli Themer in Intermediate Science, Rylie Farrar in Intermediate Natural Resources and Natalie Garrett in Junior AFR/ OFU.

Additionally, Kylie Hood placed second in Junior Science; Braden Burns placed third in Senior Ag Advocacy and Policy; and Ivy Hartman placed third in Intermediate Agribusiness.

Thismarksthe75thyear of the contest.

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, Ag Advocacy and Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, and Science.

All students, grades fourth through 12th, are eligible to compete.

Nearly 500 students will compete in AFR District Speech Contests, resulting in more than 160 finalists advancing to the state contest held Dec. 7 at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater.

“Public speaking is one of the most valuable skills young people can gain for their future careers,” said AFR/OFU Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “We are honored to host the 75th Annual AFR Speech Contest, which has a long-standing tradition of fostering professionalism and confi dence in Oklahoma’s youth.”