Advocating on behalf of the industry that feeds and fuels the world has never been more important than it is today. As members of all ages gave their prepared public speeches before judges at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), in Madison, Wis., it became clear that the future of the beef industry is in good hands of the next generation of communicators. 

Participants in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions had the freedom to select any topic regarding Angus cattle or the general beef industry for their speech deliverance. Junior division speeches were to be 4-6 minutes, intermediates followed at 5-7 minutes and seniors were tasked with preparing a 6-8-minute speech. 

The addition of crediting sources for intermediates and seniors in this contest was implemented for the first time at the 2024 NJAS. Intermediates were required to provide two references within their speeches while seniors needed four. 

Unlike other contests, there’s more than just a trophy or title on the line for those in the senior division. Individuals in this age category can receive college scholarships awarded by the Angus Journal if they place within the top-three with their communication abilities. 

Speaking up

With notecards in-hand and a smile on her face, intermediate member, Molly Hill of Baldwin, Kan., shakes the judges’ hands before presenting the speech she’s been preparing for months. 

“I talked about mental health in the Angus cattle industry and how important it is for everyone to be able to talk about it,” Hills says. 
She hopes bringing awareness to this topic will increase support given to individuals that need it.

Hill explains researching this topic was insightful; without participating in the contest, she wouldn’t know how to help people struggling with their mental health like she does now. 

“It’s kind of nice just getting to be able to talk about my feelings and what I think about this certain topic,” the first-place junior division B winner says. “I used to be a very introverted child, but I’m getting more comfortable with speaking, this contest has helped me so much.”

The prepared public speaking contest has had a similar effect on senior contestant, Laney Stephens.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is trying to stay calm and not be nervous,” the Illinois junior recalls. “When you go into the room and everyone’s watching you, it kind of feels like the world is going to end if you mess up your speech, that’s certainly not the case.”

Stephens mentioned she’s also gained skills that will help her flourish upon entering the workplace.

“I think no matter what your career is, you have to be able to talk to people, and be comfortable as well as have the ability to research topics, whether it’s one you picked or one someone gave you,” she says. 

Stephens adds she was excited to choose her own topic rather than be assigned one like they were in previous years. 

“My topic was on Angus-on-dairy indexes within the Angus industry,” she explains. “I know it’s a little bit of an odd topic, but I chose that because I thought it would be pretty unique.”

Stephens is a senior at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and has been conducting research trials regarding Angus-on-dairy cattle crosses while working towards her undergraduate degree. She notes researching and presenting on this topic introduced her to the profitability these crossbreds bring to the feedlot as well as increased carcass merit they have in the packing plant. 

The senior has competed in prepared public speaking for the last three years and expresses her thankfulness for the scholarship component in her age division.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the donors who provide that [scholarship], and it’s a really great incentive to put a lot more effort into a speech,” she says.  

Stephens took second-overall in the senior division and will receive a $750 scholarship from the Angus Journal to use towards her animal science degree at OSU. 

American Angus Auxiliary member Leslie Mindemann also admires the scholarship component of this contest and was enthusiastic when she was asked to judge the competition this year.

“This is the first year I’ve had the opportunity to judge any of the contests,” Mindemann says. “I’ve worked behind the scenes with several of them through the years, but this is the first time I’ve had a chance to judge, and it was great.”

She explains she was fascinated by all the different topics. Mindemann listened to a variety of speeches with topics ranging from the influence the public has on livestock herds to others highlighting legislation that affect the beef industry. But what stands out most to her is watching members put effort into bettering themselves, personally and professionally.

“It’s great to see kids get started in speaking and go on to further their career,” she notes. “I mean, speech and language are such an important part of our society.”

The concept of standing up in front of a panel of judges may seem scary, but Mindemann says members grow as individuals while learning a lot in the process. 

“I’m a big advocate for doing any contest at junior nationals, whether it’s ones that you really enjoy and are super comfortable with or doing something that’s really out of your comfort zone to push you towards something else,” Stephens says. “So, if public speaking isn’t something that you’re super confident with, doing a contest is a great way to kind of open yourself up and get better.”