Eleven Kingfisher students and one from Cashion placed in their respective categories at the American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Northwest District Speech Contest held Nov. 17 in Enid.

Four Kingfisher students placed in the Junior Agriscience category: Lily Lunsford, second, Addi Hood, third, Adian Langford, fourth, and Brittan Bollenbach, fifth.

Two students placed in the Intermediate Agriscience category: Naomi Garcia, second, and Madi Bragg, third.

Rylan Burns placed third in the Junior AFR/ OFU; Ashley Casillas placed fourth in the Senior Natural Resources; Brinley Reese placed fourth in the Intermediate Agribusiness; Keynun Combs placed third in the Intermediate Natural Resources; and Caroline Swafford placed third in the Intermediate Ag Policy.

For Cashion, Wyatt Collins placed second in the Senior Natural Resources category.

This marks the 77th 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. 3 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 Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh.

“We are honored to host the 77th Annual AFR Speech Contest, which has a long-standing tradition of fostering professionalism and confidence in Oklahoma’s youth.”

The AFR Annual Speech Contest is just one of many AFR Youth Program traditions.

The organization also hosts a youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, livestock judging and grading competitions and many other development opportunities.