Twenty-four Kingfisher County students from three different schools placed in their respective categories at the American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Northwest District Speech Contest held Nov. 18 in Enid.

Ten placers came from Kingfisher, eight from Dover and six more from Lomega.

For Kingfisher, two students placed in the Novice category – Hannah Johnson placed first and Rylan Burns placed fifth; two students placed in the Junior Agri-Science category – Lily Lunsford placed first and Madi Bragg placed second; two students placed in the Intermediate Agri-Science category – Kylie Hood placed first and Mia Hartman placed third; additionally, Natalie Garrett placed first in the Intermediate Natural Resources category; Alli Themer placed first in Senior AFR/OFU; Bridget Himes placed fifth in the Senior Agri-Science category; and Katon Lunsford placed first in the Senior Natural Resources category.

For Dover, two students placed in the Intermediate Agri-Science category – Gabby Cervantes placed second, and Cody barker placed fourth; two students placed in the Intermediate Agribusiness category – Fatima Aboite placed fourth and Camila Gomez placed fifth; two students placed in the Intermediate Ag Policy category – Alixah Bowens placed first and Karlee Harviston placed second; additionally, Colton Burns placed first in the Junior AFR/OFU category; and Pedro Valles placed third in Senior Agribusiness.

Also, for Lomega, Mia Forman placed fifth in the Novice category; Hadley Ott placed second in Junior AFR/OFU; Saidee Wright placed fifth in the Junior Agri-Science category; Katie Myers placed fourth in Intermediate Natural Resources; Kelby Ott placed second in the Senior AFR/ OFU category; and Rylee Glazier placed first in the Senior Agribusiness category.

This marks the 76th year of the statewide 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, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, and Agri-Science.

All students, grades four through 12, are eligible to compete.

Nearly 500 students will compete in AFR district speech contests this season, resulting in more than 160 finalists advancing to the state contest held Dec. 4 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

“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 76th Annual AFR Speech Contest, which has a long-standing tradition of fostering professionalism and confidence in Oklahoma’s youth.”