LIZZI CLAYTON: Soccer co-captain, calculus and prom memories

As she finishes up her time at Stratford, senior Lizzi Clayton looks back on her time here very fondly.

Lizzi came to Stratford in the sixth grade after attending elementary school at Alexander II. She has been at the Academy for seven years.

She participates in three sports — cross country, swimming and soccer. Lizzi has racked up many varsity letters and was a member of a state championship soccer team.

A leader on the  field, Lizzi is a co-captain of the Eagle’s soccer team, playing center midfielder. She said Coach Kate Blankenship has had the most influence on her during her high school years.

In her eighth grade year, Lizzi was a member of the varsity soccer team. This team went on to win the 2013 GISA state championship, which would  become Lizzi’s favorite memory.

She said her last season on the soccer team is bittersweet, but she is happy to be a captain with some of her best friends, Julianna Hightower and Monica Montalvo. 

This year, Lizzi joined the Stratford swim team and became a “Weagle.”  She claims the “wasn’t the best” at the sport, but “the Weagles are a family, and it was so nice to be a part of that family.”

Lizzi’s favorite memory from her senior year has been prom —  the “best dance” she’s been to in her time here. 

Her favorite teacher has been Mr. Bobby Stecher. She believes what she has learned in his Calculus classes will be beneficial in college.

Lizzi is also co-editor of the Gazebo journalism staff. She mainly works on sports articles.

She said she will miss the “small-school feeling” and close-knit community of Stratford, where the teachers all know your name.

Lizzi plans to attend Georgia Tech and  major in chemical engineering.