More than eighty Oklahoma youth recently competed for $8,200 in scholarships and savings bonds during the 17th Annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 26 at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau office in Oklahoma City.
“This contest helps the young leaders better understand agriculture and Farm Bureau issues,” said contest coordinator Derek Crain, Taloga. “It gives them experience talking in front of crowds and builds leadership skills that will help them later in life.”
The YF&R Speech Contest was divided into three age divisions: Junior, nine-12 years old; Intermediate, 13-15 years old; and Senior, 16-18 years old. The Junior division contestants presented speeches on the topic “I believe in Oklahoma agriculture.” The Intermediate and Senior divisions gave speeches in three division categories, including Agricultural Production, Agriculture Policy and Environment and Natural Resources. Speeches for the Junior division were three to five minutes in length; five to eight minutes for the Intermediate and Senior divisions.
Participants of both contests were judged on speech presentation, content, response to questions and general poise and appearance. Farm Bureau presented plaques to the winners of each category in each age group.
Senior Division- Agriculture Production
First Place: Tyler Schnaithman, Garber
Second Place: Annie Gilbert, Tecumseh
Third Place: Kaylen Baker, Yukon
Senior Division- Agriculture Policy
First Place: Mikayla Balderas, Tipton
Second Place: Emily Landoll, Elgin
Third Place: Denton Lowe, Amber Pocasset
Senior Division- Environmental and Natural Resources
First Place: Ryan Neal, Elgin
Intermediate Division- Agriculture Production
First Place: Kaylia McCracken, Elgin
Second Place: Juanita Neeley, Lawton
Third Place: Kyler Belinson, Fletcher
Intermediate Division- Agriculture Policy
First Place: Colton Budy, Alva
Second Place: Shiane Hood
Third Place: Kelby Corbett, Elgin
Intermediate Division- Environmental and Natural Resources
First Place: Bayli Hyde, Burlington
Second Place: Cale John, Cyril
Third Place: Jordan Storey, Idabel
Junior Division- “I Believe in Oklahoma Agriculture”
First Place: Hadley Griffith, Shawnee
Second Place: Alexis Peeper, Enid
Third Place: Kayla Chaplin, Yukon
