Emile Mittelstaed of Amber-Pocasset High School was named the winner of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers high school discussion meet held Tuesday, July 18, in Stillwater.
Held in conjunction with Oklahoma State University’s Big Three Field Days, the event attracted 15 competitors from across the state. The high school discussion meet allows high school students to participate in an event that promotes basic discussion skills, develops an understanding of agricultural issues and explores how groups can pool knowledge to solve problems.
Tess Haddock of Glenco High School and Emily Kennedy of Edmond High Schools received second and third place, respectively. Elizabeth Schneider of Seiling High Schools was the fourth finalist.
“Our Young Farmers and Ranchers committee extremely impressed by the quality of these high school students and their thoughtful discussion,” said Travis Schnaithman, OKFB YF&R chairman. “We are proud to host this contest, which promotes real-world skills that these students can take home and use in their daily lives and well into their future.”
Mittelstaed received a $1,500 college scholarship as the winner of the discussion meet. Haddock and Kennedy also received college scholarships in the amount of $1,000 and $500, respectively.
“I learned that other people have really valuable experiences than can have an impact,” Mittelstaed said. “With young people working together with an organization like Farm Bureau, a lot can be accomplished.”
