Coming in first isn't easy.

Just ask Haddam-Killingworth High School senior Clayton Rountree.

Clayton takes top honors this week as valedictorian of his graduating class, but he says he gave up a lot of sleep to win the spot.

"It's an honor. I'm grateful I was able to achieve the distinction," Clayton says. "It's been a long road. A lot of sleep was sacrificed."

Clayton is no stranger to hard work.

A dedicated athlete who competed (and lettered) in soccer, swim, and tennis during all four years of high school, he received the rank of Eagle Scout last year in addition to a number of academic awards, and was chosen as one of two scholar-athletes to represent Haddam-Killingworth High School. In addition to participating in a number of extra-curricular activities and service projects, the crowning achievement of Clayton's high school career was being one of just three Connecticut students to be named 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars this spring.

Although Clayton has always been a hard worker, he admits that certain subjects come easier than others and says he owes his success to parents, friends, and teachers.

"I started off better with math and languages and I've always been interested in American history, but I wasn't always the best of writers," he says. "But I've had several teachers who helped me and I've become a better writer in the last two years."

One or two teachers in particular stood out.

He names "Mr. Jim Daniels, my chemistry teacher, who's retiring this year. He's an amazing teacher who makes chemistry easy and has been teaching for 35 years."

Clayton also chose Daniels to receive a teacher recognition award given to instructors of presidential scholars.

Clayton says history teacher Ross Pendleton also made an impact.

"Mr. Ross Pendleton was a turning point for me in high school because he taught a very difficult honors course during sophomore year. Until then, I breezed through things. But I had to put my head down and go to work and that prepared me for difficult classes junior and senior year, to prepare myself for college."

Clayton is also CPR certified and a member of the American Red Cross. As director of the HKTV holiday show, he helped the club raise funds for the Finley Fighters.

Clayton was named valedictorian because he has the highest grade-point average among 167 graduating seniors, based on a weighted scale used by the school. He doesn't yet know his final grade-point average for all four years, but it was 4.28 of a possible 4.5 at the end of junior year.

Next fall, Clayton plans to attend the University of Southern California, where he will major in industrial and systems engineering, and is a recipient of the Mork Scholarship, a full scholarship and living stipend.

"I've been interested in both engineering and business for a long time-since taking an Introduction to Engineering and Design class freshman year," Clayton says, adding that the major combines his interests in engineering and business.

"I've always wondered whether I wanted to do engineering or business and in doing my college search this year, I found this major and thought 'it's perfect for me because it combines both of them.'"

And though college doesn't start until next year, Clayton already has a bit of a head start, having taken several Advanced Placement classes and even a few actual college classes, including two economics classes at Middlesex Community College through the High School Scholars program, and a physics class at the University of Connecticut through the Early College Experience program.

The Haddam-Killingworth graduation ceremonies take place this week, with Clayton delivering the valedictory address.

In writing his speech, Clayton said he "reflected on the accomplishments of our senior class over the last four years" and called the class to action "to harness the knowledge of high school and work hard to achieve success in the future."

Clayton and his family moved to Killingworth in 2001 from Morgan City, Oregon. Although he was born in Orange County, California, Clayton says he's not sure whether or not he's a California boy at heart.

"I have a lot of fond memories of Connecticut," he says.

Clayton plans to spend the summer working at Chamard Vineyards.

To nominate a person of the week, contact 203-245-1877, ext. 6146 or s.bosco@shorepublishing.com.

Haddam-Killingworth High School holds its graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 21. Clayton Rountree delivers the valedictory address.