By Craig Anderson

HARRINGTON — Effusive is the praise for Steven Miller, the 16-year-old who’s a shining star to the folks he contacts every day.

Steven, who has a developmental disability due to seizures he suffered as a baby, drew fist bumps and waves as he began his work shift at the Delaware State Fair late Saturday morning. He was offered a free bottle of water as well.

Pulling a trailer behind him on the way to picking up trash and recyclables, gathering plastic bags, cleaning tables or doing whatever else was needed, the rising Woodbridge High junior from Greenwood seemed very much in tune with everyone around him.
Working for the Clean Team has been a blessing, Steven said.

“Before I was kind of feeling down and since I’ve started working I’ve gotten more confidence (in myself) and want to work even harder,” he said.

While most everyone he comes across is polite and friendly, Steven said he just ignores the ones who are rude. He said his motto is “Treat people the way you want to be treated.”

According to Steven’s boss Della Nocks, “All the vendors love him. As soon as he comes in he speaks to everybody, grabs his wagon, and he’s off.

“He’s awesome out here, everybody loves him, he’s the best.

“He brightens my day when he comes in. I give him a hug and he has that beautiful smile on him. He’s so happy and joyful and he loves to work.”

Ms. Nocks described his work as “excellent” and said “He’s already hired for next year.”

While Steven’s schedule is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., he said he always arrives by 10:45 a.m. “because I like to get here early.”

Just a few minutes into his shift, Steven received a loud “hello” from Erik Krezmien of Piche Concessions, who happened to be walking by.

Said Mr. Krezmien of Steven, “He comes in and powerhouses it, he’s sweating and working hard. He gets the job done and I (respect) that in an employee.

“He’s got the greatest personality on the fairground. He’s a good kid.”

Chester’s Gators & Taters cook Robert Hepp Bush Jr. concurred, saying “He’s awesome, he does anything and everything that’s needed. He’s a friendly young man and makes everybody’s day. We always try to make sure he’s taken care of.”