To the Editor: highest sunflower?

From D. White:

“I have a 9 1/2 foot tall sunflower that I planted and I was wondering if there is a local record for tallest sunflower? I know the world’s record is 26 feet and I can’t compete with that. Oh, it’s not a yellow sunflower it’s orange and red. Thank you.”

Added later: “I guess it did turn out to be yellow after all, lol”

I’m not aware that this is something we’ve ever discovered. So, over to you, readers! Can anyone beat 9.5 feet?