WALKER COUNTY
PROUD 2020
MADDIE RILEY
A born leader
Maddie Riley brings a passion for agriculture to
her new role as the chairman of area 4-H district
STORY BY MICHELLE WULFSON
As the oldest of five, many would argue that Maddie Riley is a born leader.
Her dedication and drive has set her on track to achieve a high level of accomplishments
both in and out of 4-H. As a homeschooled high school senior, Riley will graduate this
spring with 36 college credit hours already in tow with her many 4-H accolades, including
recently being elected as the 2020-2021 council chairman for District 9.
“It was a huge relief, I have been working at it since freshman year,” Walker County
District 9 Council Chairman Maddie Riley said. “The competition this year was pretty tough,
and a little bit confusing because we couldn’t do it in person, so I was very stressed and
worried that I wouldn’t get it.”
As chairman, Riley will come up with community service ideas, leadership games and
sessions for District 9 and its events. She will also represent her district at the state council.
“We kind of just serve as a voice for all of the kids in District 9,” Riley explained.
4-H is designed as an organization with several clubs through which kids can engage
in projects and activities, however, the major goal is for kids to grow their leadership skills
and to prepare them for college and their future.
“It really is all because of 4-H, if I hadn’t gone through 4-H, I wouldn’t have discovered
my passion for the beef cattle industry, or for leadership, I definitely would not be able to
talk in front of a bunch of people or just have the confidence. 4-H is really something that
pushes you to become better and to find what you’re passionate about,” Riley said.
“I’m a fifthgeneration
cattle
rancher, so even
though I just
discovered my
passion for the beef
cattle industry as a
freshman, I’ve been
surrounded by it
my entire life.”
Riley first joined 4-H at six years-old to be a part of
horse club, which she has been a member of for 12
years now. She initially joined simply to ride horses,
however she quickly found herself taking leadership
positions within the club. She later branched out to
sewing, rifle and cooking clubs, however when she
became a freshman, she found her passion for the beef
cattle industry through commercial heifer club, where
she successfully raised and sold two.
“I’m a fifth generation cattle rancher, so even
though I just discovered my passion for the beef cattle
industry as a freshman, I’ve been surrounded by it my
entire life,” Riley said.
Through 4-H, Riley has been able to expand her
knowledge of the beef cattle industry by participating
in events like the beef quiz bowl and beef educational
presentations which also helped to grow her public
speaking and leadership skills.
As a freshman, Riley first visited the leadership lab
where the district council officers are elected, and was
introduced to the leadership of 4-H, inspiring her to
find her full potential.
“Seeing those kids, they had a really big influence
on me, they helped me come out of my shell, and
without them pushing me to get up and stand in front
of people and talk, I wouldn’t be where I am today. That
inspired me to run for those kinds of offices and do the
same for other kids so we can have better leaders in
our district and our state in the future,” Riley said.
She was first elected into the county council, followed
by the state council and serving as a historian
her sophmore year, a second vice chairman her junior
year and now as chairman her senior year.
“In district council last year, they really made us step
up and have more leadership experience,” Riley said.
As a senior officer, Riley was able to help plan all of the
educational sessions for younger 4-H campers looking
to engage in leadership.
36 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FALL 2020