Several Oklahoma youth recently competed for $9,600 in savings bonds and scholarships during the Eighth Annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 17 at the State Fairgrounds arena in Oklahoma City.
The YF&R Speech Contest was broken up into three age divisions: Junior, nine-12 years old; Intermediate, 13-15 years old; and Senior, 16-18 years old. The youth gave speeches in three division categories, including Agricultural Production, Environment & Natural Resources and Agriculture Policy. Speeches for the Junior Division were three to five minutes in length; five to seven 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.
Junior Division:
First, second and third place winners of each category in the Junior Division received $400, $200 and $100 savings bonds, respectively.
Winner in the Agricultural Policy category was Lauren Ragsdale of Muskogee.
Winners in the Environment & Natural Resources category were: First place, Thad Gorezyca of Lincoln County; second place, Jessica Goyne of Alex; and third place, Andrew Vincent of Eufaula.
Winners in the Agriculture Production category were: First place, Katie Osborn of Tuttle; second place, Christann Doye of Walters; and third place, Robbie Maples of Okemah.
Intermediate Division:
First, second and third place winners in the Intermediate Division received $500, $200 and $100 savings bonds, respectively.
Winner in the Agricultural Policy category was Luther Gatewood of Vinita.
Winners in the Environment & Natural Resources category were: First place, Travis Schnaithman of Garber; second place, Katey Robison of Rocky; and third place, Ridge Roberts of Guthrie.
Winners in the Agriculture Production category were: First place, Tyler Powell of Guthrie; second place, Valerie Howard of Guthrie; and third place, Carly Schnaithman of Garber.
Senior Division:
First, second and third place winners in the Senior Division received $1,000, $500 and $200 scholarships, respectively.
Winners in the Agricultural Policy category were: First place, Lindsey Shaw of Norman; second place, Bethany Anderson of Amber; and third place, Carol Cook of Bennington.
Winners in the Environment & Natural Resources category were: First place, Chase Turner of Lawton; second place, Mason Bolay of Perry; and third place, Matthew Walker of Ada.
Winners in the Agriculture Production category were: First place, Allyson Billey of Sayre; second place, Ruth Bobbitt of Lamont; and third place, Lindsey Cheek of Norman.
