Clinton High School’s Kade Sutton is a force to be reckoned with. The junior is the recent recipient of two notable awards: Four County Conference Men’s Track & Field Runner of the Year and Sampson County Civitan All County Track Meet Outstanding Male Athlete.
Sutton has already set school records for the 1-mile, the 2-mile, and the 4×800 and has attended both regionals and state-level competitions for cross country and swimming.
But, it’s not just sports that Sutton proves his mettle in — his academic excellence is also of note. He’s in the top 10 of his class, an already tough track alongside his Student Government role as the vice president of the junior class at Clinton High. Sutton also holds dual membership in two of Clinton’s honors societies: the Spanish Honors Society, which focuses on excellence in secondary-level Spanish education, as well as Beta Club, a non-profit academic organization built to recognize and support students in their mission to shape the future leaders of America.
Sutton does this mission justice as a leader in the local community. He’s a member of the Key Club, an organization that partners with the Kiwanis of Clinton for community-conscious service programs like Special Olympics and Sampson County’s fundraising dinners. Sutton reports on the events for the Key Club and also does photography work for the group.
This runner’s distinguished leadership skills also work outside of the school environment. He’s an Eagle Scout in local Troop 76, the highest rank achievable in the Boy Scouts of America. The position requires not only 21 earned merits within the program, but also an extensively planned service project for the scout’s community. Sutton’s own was geared towards community education: he created four community garden boxes so the children of Clinton would have an accessible place to grow plants and learn about the environment around them.
Sutton is not quite sure what the future holds, although as a member of Clinton High’s HOSA-Future Health Professionals group he certainly has some ideas.
“Something in either health or business,” said Sutton. “And wherever I end up going, I’m definitely going to continue running.”
Sutton’s already stellar track and field career, alongside his numerous academic and community accomplishments, will carry him far. They’re already taking him to regionals for the second time this coming Saturday.
The finish line there will be one of many in the coming years, in the long run that is life. With the experience he carries with him already, however — as a disciplined sportsman, an Eagle Scout, an honors student, a true community leader — Sutton’s set to own them all.