Grand marshall for July 4

The grand marshal for the Blanding Fourth of July parade is Clayton Long.
Long has resided in San Juan County for 37 years and has worked for the San Juan School District as a teacher, principal and vice principal, and Bilingual Education Director.
Long has been involved with various boards and committees for the community, county, state and national organizations. He has developed and taught the Navajo language and Navajo cultural curriculum for the schools, and through the internet worldwide.
Long was instrumental in creating Navajo Language Proficiency Test for the Navajo Nation. He has translated the Navajo language for various national and business organizations.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has provided translation services for the church for the past 40 years.
Long is a graduate of Brigham Young University, with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in education. He has received an Honorary Doctorate from the College of Eastern Utah, the Utah Governor’s Native American Summit “Excellence In Education” Award, and the Spencer W. Kimball Lamanite Leadership Award.
Long is dedicated to preserving his language and culture for the Navajo people. He has been married for 38 years, has four children and 14 grandchildren who will join him in this year’s parade.