Alderson's Clayton Ayers is a student athlete who excels in both areas. Graduating in the top 15% of his class at Greenbrier East High School while taking a challenging course of study, Clay earned a place on the Principal’s Honor Roll as well as the B+ Honor Roll. At GEHS, Clay was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also volunteered with a canned food drive and various activities to promote school spirit. On the field, Clay played both varsity football and varsity baseball all four years earning honorable mention awards and participating in state tournaments. He was a quarterback and wide receiver and set the school record for the longest touchdown pass. His talent as a baseball player is revealed in his ability to excel at various infield positions including shortstop, second base, and third base, as well as pitcher. The recipient of the 2012 A. A. McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship, Clay will be attending Marshall University in the fall. He plans to study English, History, and Criminology and to continue to play baseball.

The Greater Greenbrier Community Foundation administers the A. A. McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship. It was established as a tribute to the beloved football coach and mentor from Alderson High School by his family and friends. “Coach Abe” is the winningest coach in the history of Greenbrier County schools; however, one former player at AHS stated “the true measure of this man is not to be found in his remarkable win-loss records. It is found in his extraordinary humanity, in his citizenship, in the role he played as a husband and father, and in the hearts and souls of us who encountered him, in the belief in ourselves that he taught us and the grit he sowed in our guts and in the crystal-clear and simple values that he demonstrated.”

The Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation was created to help the region remain an enriching community where community service individuals like Clayton Ayers will always have the resources needed to continue his vital work. It creates and administers funds that distribute money to the community. For more information call 304-645-5620 or visit www.gvfoundation.org