Clayton Stephens, 14, of Clinton Corners, New York is the son of Jerry and Mary Stephens. He has one sister, Meagan, who is 17 and will be a freshman at Connors State College. Clayton is a ninth grader at Stissing Mountain Middle and High School.

In the NJSA, Clayton has made sure to jump in with both feet! He has participated in multiple shows and has attended both the regional and national leadership conferences hosted at Black Hawk College-East Campus, Purdue University, and in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2006, he was also the winner of the junior speech contest at the National Junior Summer Spectacular—his most memorable moment as it was only his second NJSS!

Clayton would like younger members to know that the NJSA helps you meet a lot of new people who will give you a hand whenever you have a problem, especially older members because they’ve probably experienced the same thing before. In his own words, “It’s all about going to NJSA shows, having fun, and meeting new people!” When he grows up, he would like to be a field advisor for a hog farm enforcing their protocols, a career he learned about from speakers from The Maschoffs, Inc., at the NJSA Leadership Conference.

In what little free time he has, Clayton shows sheep and cattle, plays basketball, and makes sure to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings on ESPN.

Great job, Clayton, on everything you’ve achieved so far!  We’re sure you’ll accomplish many more great things in the future!

Submitted by Amanda Sollman, 2009 NJSA Intern