THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606110141
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: A Salute to the Class of '96
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 73 lines
In the three years that Laura E. Clayton toiled at Princess Anne High School, she learned something about the nature of leadership that few students her age ever take time to consider.
In a world that praises being first above all else, it would be understandable for people to forget that true leaders must sometimes step back and follow others.
This simple lesson came to Clayton, who will attend James Madison University, in small but crucial steps through her association with student clubs, in sports and at home in Pembroke Meadows.
``Leadership is a service,'' the 18-year-old said. ``If you lead well, then you can help others to become leaders in their own way. Sometimes you need to lead and sometimes you need to follow.''
Clayton was not the school's valedictorian. She was not the salutatorian; that honor, coincidentally enough, was reserved for her twin brother, Darren. She was not the school's top athlete, nor was she the most widely known.
But in her own way, both as co-captain of the girl's field hockey and soccer teams, as secretary for the student council association, Clayton earned the respect and admiration of the many within the school.
She was ninth in a class of about 400 students. Her grade point average 3.89 on a 4.0 scale.
``She's a good student and a good athlete,'' said Pat Griffin, principal.
``She's a good representative of someone who is highly involved in student activity; she's successful at all levels.
``She was well-liked by her peers and teachers and although she's not the highest scholar and she's not the greatest athlete, she still shines in all areas.
``She's a lovely young lady, a fun person to work with and she's had an outstanding senior year,'' Griffin said.
If there is one thing that puts Clayton in the company of so many other graduating seniors with college ambitions, it's her lack of a clear game plan for college study. She smiles at the questions, ``So, what are you going to major in?'' and seems perfectly content to give the answer that one might expect from someone like her.
``I want to be a success in my life,'' she said. ``And success is not really about money. I want to do something I'm happy about. When I get up in the morning, I want to be excited about what I'm about to do. I want a healthy, happy, prosperous life.''
Included in her list of accomplishments are a host of awards, including a Norfolk Sports Cup Scholarship, the Tommy Horvatic Memorial Scholarship, Princess Anne Booster Club Scholarship, Princess Anne Field Hockey Scholarship, the Thalia United Methodist Men's Scholarship and the Princess Anne Medallion, a new award for 12 seniors who show good community standing. The scholarships are valued at $5,500 toward her college tuition.
``She's very good with people,'' said an obviously pleased and proud Gary Clayton, Laura's father, a civil engineer for Tidewater Construction Company.
Mary Clayton, Laura's mother and a speech pathologist at Independence Middle School, said: ``Laura's never been a problem for us. She's easy to talk to. She's sensitive to those around her, although sometimes she does not let you know that. But she's all the time looking and watching.''
Mary Clayton said her daughter's organizational skills are those that will probably serve her best in the years to come.
``It's the way she tackles a task, breaks it down and solves problems,'' she said. ``And I think she's a good listener. I think that kind of person will be able to help people and know how to do things.
``I think a lot of her friends get a kick out of her laughing,'' she added. ``It doesn't take much to get her to laugh.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
``I want to be a success in my life, and success is not really about
money,'' says Laura Clayton, still uncertain about her major at
James Madison University. ``I want to do something I'm happy about.
When I get up in the morning, I want to be excited about what I'm
about to do. I want a healthy, happy, prosperous life.'' by CNB