Three Kingfisher County students placed in their respective categories Dec. 3 at the American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) State Speech Contest in Stillwater.

Among them was a category winner.

Lomega’s Hadley Ott took first place in the Intermediate AFR/OFU category. Pedro Valles of Dover placed third in Senior Agribusiness.

Karlee Harviston, also of Dover, placed fourth in the Senior Ag Policy.

The state competition consisted of more than 160 participants who qualifi ed during various district speech contests.

Nearly 500 people took part in those district contests.

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.