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Queen candidate: Ripon perfect place to grow up
Wever Claire AEP 4694
Claire Wever

Ripon Almond Blossom Queen candidate Claire Wever, 16, has her heart set on teaching.

She is one of seven hopefuls seeking the title for the festival Feb. 26-28 and to then serve the rest of the year as Miss Ripon.

“Willing, determined and passionate” are three words she said that best describe her personality

Claire said she is always open to helping in school and community projects.  

“Throughout the past few years of high school, I have been asked to plan dances, rallies, community events and school-wide functions. No matter the problem that is presented, I work hard to hopefully achieve success and learn about myself and others throughout the process,” she said of her leadership class role. 

While on two mission trips with her church to Mexico she has helped build houses, feed families and teach young children. She’s been in both the choir and drama programs at Ripon High — Concert Choir, Advanced Choir, and Women’s Barbershop.  She also took part in the school’s Spring Musical, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”

Claire has been on the Varsity Golf team since her freshman year teaming with  fellow golfers to achieve Division, Section and League titles.

She says she has worked hard to achieve the desired outcome in any project she has been taken on in her life. Claire currently is the student representative on the Ripon Unified School District board. She also served as an Associated Student Body (ASB) Executive team member. 

Claire is planning to run for student body president during her senior year at Ripon High School. 

 “I give 110 percent to everything that I do.  I devote my heart and soul to my tasks,” she noted.

The RHS junior volunteers regularly with Love Ripon, Color the Skies, San Joaquin River Clean-Ups, Ripon’s Recycling Center and has collected funds and necessities for victims of the Butte and Valley fires with the help of the Girls’ League. 

As Claire and her friends and classmates began to mature they would tell her they couldn’t wait to graduate and get out of Ripon — saying it was too small, too boring.  But from her perspective Ripon has been the perfect place for her and her sister to grow up.

“That’s the reason I want people to know how much Ripon means to me. I’m very grateful for this town and its wonderful people.  I’m looking forward one day to bringing my family up here and spending my life in the town that was my entire world for so long,” she said.

“And that’s why I chose to run for Almond Blossom Queen — Miss Ripon.  Ripon has shaped me into the person I am today.  Ripon has taught me many valuable life lessons and that bigger isn’t always better.” 

Ripon has taught me that neighbors really are the people you can turn to when in need. Playing in the street is really one of the best summertime activities and running into everyone you know at the grocery store any one night is truly possible,” she said.