Claire Wight named Wellesley Township's 2026 Junior Citizen of the Year

Claire Wight (née Koch) has been named Wellesley Township's 2026 Junior Citizen of the Year in recognition of her leadership, volunteerism and commitment to agricultural education and farm safety. Contributed photo

By Gary West

Claire Wight (née Koch) has been named Wellesley Township's 2026 Junior Citizen of the Year in recognition of her leadership, volunteerism and commitment to agricultural education.

As the 2025-2026 Wellesley Township Fair Ambassador, Wight focused her efforts on promoting farm safety through her interactive educational program, Barnyard Buddies, designed for students in grades one to four.

The hands-on program teaches children about safety around large farm animals, water and ice safety, farm hazards, personal protective equipment and tractor safety through games and engaging activities.

With support from her family, friends and the fair's current junior ambassador, Wight presented the program at Wellesley Public School and North Easthope Public School. Both schools have invited her to return this year.

She also partnered with Woolwich Community Health to present the program during the Waterloo Women's Farm Safety Day.

Wight hopes to expand Barnyard Buddies to more rural schools across Waterloo and Perth counties.

"I want to help children understand farm safety, regardless of whether they live on a farm or not," she said.

While attending Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School, Wight founded S.P.A.R.K. (Students Praying and Reaching for the Kingdom), a Christian student group that has grown to more than 60 members. She was also active in student leadership, helping organize community initiatives such as the Gift of Love fundraiser in support of the Wilmot Community Food Cupboard.

A graduate with honours, Wight earned a Specialist High Skills Major in agriculture and received scholarships from the University of Guelph and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture in recognition of her commitment to agriculture and animal medicine.

She is currently studying veterinary technology at the University of Guelph's Ridgetown campus.

In addition to her studies, Wight works on her family's Holstein dairy farm, serves as a receptionist at New Hamburg Veterinary Clinic, works at Verona Health Solutions and assists with marketing design for Farm for Profit.

She also raises a small herd of pygmy goats and hopes to expand it in the future.

Through her dedication to agriculture, education and community service, Wight has earned the honour of being named Wellesley Township's 2026 Junior Citizen of the Year.