Madelyn Sampson: Looking Up Toward Leadership
By: Emma Alexander –
Sophomore and Kirksville FFA vice-president, Madelyn Sampson, is a state and national show ring and public speaking champion, but her view hasn’t always been from the top. Madelyn has always been willing to ‘look up’ while she grows as a leader. Madelyn lives and works on her family’s farm in #Agri-Ready Designated Adair County. Her passion for the beef industry and love of Angus cattle have guided her interests.
Looking Up
Madelyn’s family grows row crops and raises Angus seedstock as Sampson Cattle Company. Madelyn excitedly began showing Angus cattle as an eight- year-old 4-H member, looking up to the success of her two older brothers. She built her own herd from her very first show heifer. Her herd grows each year with clear production goals in mind.
“I want to keep raising bulls that will sell in our farm’s annual sale. I seek out heifers that will perform for me in the show ring AND will raise good calves for me in the pasture,” Madelyn says.
Some of Madelyn’s first Angus memories are of the Angus Mentoring Program (AMP), a part of the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS).
“I still remember some of my AMP mentors from when I was too young to show. Those relationships really left an impact on me,” Madelyn remembers. “Now I enjoy being a mentor.”
Speaking Championships
Madelyn is Missouri FFA’s 2025 Creed Speaking Winner, earning the honor of competing at the national level this October during National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, In. Madelyn is part of the Missouri junior team that earned first place in the 2025 Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off’s senior steak division, overall steak category, and showmanship at the NJAS. She is a two-time NJAS public speaking winner.
“I once read an article full of misinformation about the beef industry. It made me want to respond so I got involved in public speaking,” Madelyn shares. “People
2025 State Fair Champion
Madelyn’s Angus heifers won class placings in the Missouri State Fair junior show and two division champions in the open show. Her crossbred heifer was named Overall Reserve Grand Champion, which earned Madelyn the honor to compete in the Show-Me Shoot Out for the first time ever. Most impressively, Madelyn was named the 2025 Grand Champion 4-H/FFA Beef Showman.
#Agri-Ready Designated Adair County. Agriculture, including food, feed and forestry, contributes $239.3 million in value added products, $816.8 million in output, more than 4,050 jobs, and $243.0 million to household incomes in Adair County according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study.
The Missouri Angus Family
Madelyn served as the 2022 Missouri Angus Princess. Today, she is the 2025-26 Secretary of the Missouri Junior Angus Association (MJAA).
“I ran for a leadership position because I wanted to serve,” Madelyn describes. “I want junior members to stay involved and to help our Angus association be a big family.”
More About Madelyn
Madelyn began her own jewelry business, ‘Flash From the Farm’, four years ago. She plays basketball for Kirksville R-3 High School and plans to study agricultural and biological engineering in college.
Madelyn is the daughter of Chad and Mackenzie Sampson. Laura Moore is her FFA Advisor. Madelyn is a junior member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a partner of Missouri Farmers Care.
What is the Missouri Junior Angus Association (MJAA) – The MJAA is a youth organization focused on developing the Angus breed through various shows, contests, scholarships, and programs. The organization is dedicated to fostering leadership and promoting the Angus breed among young people in Missouri. It is a part of the Missouri Angus Association (MAA) and National Junior Angus Association (NJAA).
What is the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA)- The NJAA is the junior division of the American Angus Association. It provides various opportunities for members including NJAS leadership development conferences, educational programs, contests, and Angus cattle-related activities. A 12-member board of directors composed of young leaders from across the country guides the organization.