Sam Langdon is a senior at New Trier High School and a four-year DECA member who is beyond grateful to serve on the 2026-27 State Action Team!

Thanks to a great recommendation from a close friend, Sam joined DECA in the fall of his freshman year. Since then, Sam has had an absolute blast competing in several finance-based events, making new friends, serving on his chapter’s leadership team, drinking milkshakes in Atlanta, and leading New Trier DECA as his chapter’s co-president (along with the very same friend!).

Starting off in DECA, Sam was far from a natural: In his first-ever role-play, he almost finished dead last. But he bounced back. Through many hours spent studying performance indicators (and a few last-minute practice tests in his hotel room), Sam elevated his role-plays, ultimately earning an exam medal at last year’s ICDC.

Sam is ready to help every member in Illinois undergo the same transformation, both in and out of competition. He’s excited to build engagement by focusing on the little moments that make DECA one-of-a-kind!

On a personal note, Sam loves to hike, travel, try new restaurants, and spend time with his friends and family. You can often find him listening to music (Pearl Jam, Coldplay, and U2), playing poker with his friends (still waiting on his first win), eating at Wingstop or Raising Cane’s, and rooting for the Detroit Lions.

This year, Sam is prepared to leave it all on the field. He’s hoping to run it back in Anaheim this spring, competing in FTDM with his co-president, tackling FOR with his two younger brothers, and looking to improve his lackluster pin collection. Sam cannot wait for the year ahead and wants to help every member achieve their #NextBigThing!