Jocelyn Clayton, Burlington Jct., attended two events at the University of Central Missouri this summer: Missouri Leadership Seminar from June 9 – 12 and Missouri Girls State from June 25 – July 1.

Clayton is the daughter of John and Lani Clayton and the granddaughter of Rich and Sheryl Slaten, Clearmont, and Joyce Clayton, Braddyville, IA.

Missouri Leadership Seminar is sponsored by the Optimist Clubs of Missouri. The program is designed to help student ambassadors find their inner leader through a variety of panels focusing on diversity, education and volunteering. Clayton attended the seminar last year and returned this summer as a mentor. The program is free and open to students finishing their sophomore year of high school. Those returning as mentors during their junior and senior years must meet qualifications in fundraising and complete 100 hours of volunteer service. Clayton completed her volunteer hours by helping students in her school’s Title I reading room, giving free flute lessons and volunteering in the costume department for Maryville Young Players summer theater program. As a mentor, Clayton was part of the Positive Mental Attitude or PMA team. Team members focused on positive attitudes with a variety of cheers, chants and songs.

Missouri Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary organizations of Missouri. This year was the 75th anniversary of the program. While at this event, Clayton ran for several city, county and state offices. She served as chair of the Covington City Council committee and ward three and as vice chair of the Nationalist Party of Price County Council committee. She attended law school and helped prepare a city law case. She also gave the invocation at an assembly. Clayton said the highlight of her week was participating in the Girls State band and performing during three assemblies, including the inauguration ceremony. The band had less than two hours practice time and performed six songs including: “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Girls State Song,” an arrangement of “America the Beautiful” and “ Life is a Highway.”

Jocelyn Clayton

Jocelyn Clayton