On a ruthlessly hot day in late August, I sauntered across the sidewalk joining the Middle School and the High School to meet with Masyn Riggins. I’d been looking forward to the conversation… and to taking refuge in the air-conditioned conference room. Masyn is the youngest of three daughters of McDonough County and their family’s centennial farm. She grew up here in Western Illinois where the fields stretch wide and the roots run deep. As a senior in high school, she is already leaving her mark on the future of agriculture. Meet Masyn Riggins—hardworking student, FFA leader, and a genuine embodiment of the values that make our community proud.

Masyn’s story isn’t just about her achievements; it’s about her commitment to something larger than herself. As the president of the Macomb FFA chapter and the section eleven reporter, Masyn is no ordinary student—she’s a leader, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for the agricultural community.

But Masyn’s journey didn’t start with leadership roles; it started on her family’s farm, where agriculture has been the backbone for generations. “I come from a five-generational family, born on a centennial farm,” she says with a sense of pride that’s palpable. Growing up, she wasn’t just learning about farming—she was living it. From early morning chores to understanding the complexities of modern agriculture, Masyn’s experiences have shaped her into a young woman with a deep appreciation for the land and the work it demands.

Yet, Masyn isn’t your typical farm kid. In a school where most students come from town, she stands out as one of the few with a strong agricultural background. “You don’t see a lot of farm kids here,” she notes, adding that many kids her age know little about where their food or clothing comes from. This disconnect fuels her passion for agriculture education. “I think it’s really important to continue the growing tradition of sharing what I love about agriculture with everybody else,” she says.

And share she does. Whether it’s through her involvement in FFA, her role as the president of the Scotland Clever Clovers 4-H club, or her participation in the McDonough County Federation, Masyn is constantly spreading the word about the importance of agriculture. “Agriculture education is something that everybody should be taking,” she argues, pointing out that understanding where our food comes from is critical knowledge that too many people lack.

Masyn’s dedication to FFA and agriculture extends beyond the classroom and the farm. She’s also academically driven, maintaining a solid GPA while juggling her various responsibilities. But her interests don’t stop there. She’s on the officer team for student council, planning events like homecoming as the social media chair, and she’s even part of the track and field team, where she throws shot put. And, because she believes in trying new things, she joined the dance team this year—a first for her, but something she’s tackling with the same enthusiasm she brings to everything else.

But perhaps the most unique aspect of Masyn’s story is her passion for beef embryology, a field that might seem niche but is incredibly important. “Basically, beef embryology involves transferring embryos out of beef animals into another to make sure that their genetics can be adequate for show stock,” she explains. It’s a science that combines cutting-edge technology with traditional agricultural practices, and it’s something Masyn is eager to pursue at the university level. With plans to attend either Mizzou or Kansas State, she’s looking forward to deepening her knowledge and making an impact in this specialized field.

Masyn’s passion for beef embryology was sparked in part by her own experiences showing shorthorn heifers and steers, as well as her certification in artificial insemination, which she completed alongside her sister, Katie Riggins. Interestingly, Katie isn’t just Masyn’s sister; she’s also the FFA Advisor at the middle school, making the Riggins family a true powerhouse in the local agricultural community.

When Masyn isn’t busy with FFA, school, or her various extracurricular activities, you might find her in the ag shop, working on projects or mentoring younger students. She’s a firm believer in the power of leadership—not just in terms of leading others, but in leading oneself. “I think leadership is something that doesn’t have to be very big,” she says. “You could be the captain of the tennis team or something as small as just participating in the ecology club, helping in the community. Leadership can go so far beyond just the small circle.”

As Masyn prepares to leave Macomb for college, she carries with her the values and lessons she’s learned on the farm, in the classroom, and through her many leadership roles. She’s poised to make a difference in the world of agriculture, but she’ll always remain connected to her roots in Macomb. “Macomb is one of those places where you hear about it, but once you really get to see it in person and feel the kind of family aspect of it, you just kind of feel at home,” she reflects.

In Masyn Riggins, Macomb has not just a highachieving student, but a future leader who’s ready to take on the world—one beef embryo at a time. And as she steps into the next chapter of her life, there’s no doubt that she’ll make us all proud.