Spencer Baird

F.E. Madill Secondary School

BSc in Agriculture, University of Guelph

Spencer is a pitcher for his local baseball team, plays hockey and volleyball, and was skip of his curling team. He has coached younger students in baseball for over four years and volunteers annually at the Belmore Maple Syrup Festival. Spencer works as an equipment operator, animal processor, and technician at local farms, where he often leads teams of labourers. He is also a partner and labourer for his own family cow farm outside Wingham. With his passion for agriculture, Spencer will study at the University of Guelph in the hopes of becoming a veterinarian.

Emily Bieman

F.E. Madill Secondary School

BSc in Animal Biology, University of Guelph

Emily is a youth leader and the webmaster of Huron County 4-H. She has held several executive roles and currently teaches younger members how to show lambs. She volunteers at the Brussels Fall Fair and with the Western Ontario Team Cattle Penning Association. Emily is a member of the Mustangs Making a Difference club at F. E. Madill Secondary School, organizing events in the community. She has taught skating lessons to children and is a tutor at her school. Emily works at an animal hospital and on her family farm. She will study animal biology and hopes to become a veterinarian.

Carlene Craig

South Huron District High School

Advanced Diploma in Respiratory Therapy, St. Clair College

Carlene is the goalie for both the South Huron District High School and her local community hockey team. She also played on the varsity softball and badminton teams. Carlene has volunteered at a local seniors’ residence and in running tournaments with Exeter Minor Ball. She also volunteered through the COVID-19 pandemic at vaccine clinics at the South Huron Recreation Centre. Carlene currently works as a dietary aid at a seniors’ residence, where she was inspired to study to be a Respiratory Therapist. She hopes to work in emergency ambulance services.

Sarah Durnin

Goderich District Collegiate Institute

BASc in Engineering, McMaster University

Sarah has volunteered at the Lucknow Fall Fair for over four years, where she helps with set-up and operation of various events and competitions. She is a member of several school sports teams, including volleyball, soccer, curling, badminton, and basketball. At Goderich District Collegiate Institute, she tutors her classmates in science and math and is a member of the Jack Chapter and Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving. Sarah works as a cashier, hostess and cook, and has previously held jobs milking cows and as a lighthouse tour guide. She plans to study engineering physics at McMaster University.

Caitlin McKercher

Central Huron Secondary School

BCom in International Business, University of Ottawa

Caitlin is a junior leader with 4-H, where she leads a baking club, and was Prime Minister of the 4-H mock parliament. She is president of the Central Huron Secondary School Student Council and is the student representative on its Parent Council. She is vice-president of the school board’s student senate. Caitlin plays ringette and volleyball, and volunteers annually at a community supper. She works as a gas bar attendant, and as a water safety instructor at a community recreation centre. Caitlin will study international business with the hopes of one day entering the foreign service.

Maria Pot

St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School

BSc, University of Guelph

Maria is on the executive of the St. Anne’s student council and is a member of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Club where she leads inclusion initiatives for the school. She volunteers with her local church in local and international initiatives. Maria has led programming for younger children in a local faith group. She plays the piano and was a sprinter on the school track and field team. Maria works as a hostess at a local restaurant and has previously held jobs as a cook and as a greenhouse worker. Interested in sustainability and conservation, Maria will study science.

Latisha Van Beets

Central Huron Secondary School

BSc in Health Sciences, Western University 

Latisha is Co-President of the Central Huron Secondary School Student Council, where she organized a mental health wellness week for the student body. Latisha assists seniors in palliative care as a volunteer with Huron Hospice, where she serves residents and assists in fundraising efforts. She works as a waitress at a local restaurant. A student athlete, Latisha competes in basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field. She plans to study health sciences and business in university.

Makenna Wormington

Goderich District Collegiate Institute

Diploma in Journalism, Sheridan College

Makenna launched and hosts a weekly morning announcement show at her school. She runs social media and organizes social events for the Student Council. Makenna is a provincial representative for Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving and helps organize events with her school’s chapter. She swam on the school swimming team and acts in school drama productions. She works as dietary aide at a retirement residence. Building on her experiences in a co-op program at a media production company, Makenna will study journalism.