January 7, 2000

A 17-year-old Tyler County youth walked away with top honors and a $4,000 scholarship in Texas Farm Bureau’s prestigious Free Enterprise Speech Contest, during the organization’s 66th annual convention.

Kelli Stuart, daughter of Margaret and Joe Stuart of Woodville and a senior at Woodville High School, edged out six finalists to win.

Runner-up and winner of a $2,500 scholarship was Sloan Smalley, 17, of Waller County. A junior at Waller High School, Smalley is the son of Jake and Karyn Smalley.

Each of the remaining four finalists receiving a $1,500 scholarship were: Seth Soloman, Deaf Smith County; Meggan McKnight, Throckmorton County; Mark Sheets, Mitchell County; and Peter Johnston, Morris County.

Texas Farm Bureau will treat all six to an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. next summer.

Other speech contestants at the convention included Kevin Narag of Taylor County; Kathy Chumney of Hamilton County; Michael Rothe of Medina County; and Kelley Brysch of Karnes County.

A 19-year-old sophomore majoring in piano performance at Oklahoma Baptist University took top honors in TFB’s Talent Find. Caleb Harris of Hansford County, won the title and a $2,000 scholarship with his dramatic performance of Chopin’s "The Revolutionary Etude." Harris is the son of Kenneth and Jean Harris of Gruver.

Runner-up and winner of a $1,500 scholarship was 18-year-old Andy Tindall, an accomplished fiddler from Johnson County. A senior at Alvarado High School, his parents are Cathy and Don Tindall of Alvarado.

Other Talent Find contestants included Miranda Turner of Castro County; Amanda Edwards of Mon-tague County; Carroll Bonner of Hopkins County; Faith Feaster of Nolan County; Brent Hastings of Taylor County; Jenny Ussery of Coryell County; Lucas Babin of Tyler County; Tiffini Morris of Bandera County; Brandi Bates of Matagorda County; Elizabeth Turner of Wilson County; and Rea-gan Pillack of Nueces County.

Traci Gohmert of Victoria County, an 18-year-old freshman at Victoria College, was named Miss Texas Farm Bureau and winner of a $2,000 scholarship. Gohmert is the daughter of Charles and Susie Gohmert of Victoria. She was awarded a set of luggage and a $500 wardrobe of natural fiber.

Runner-up and winner of a $1,500 scholarship and a set of luggage was Kristen Wilson, 18, of of Jim Wells County, daughter of John and Nancy Wilson of Sandia.