Sharp salutes and proud smiles marked the 2328 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps’ recent inspection and awards ceremony.
Eighteen cadets attended the event on Monday, May 9 at the RH Channing Auditorium.
“It’s been a good year. We’ve had real good kids and accomplished all the tasks that we had set about for ourselves,” said Cpt. Daryl Wilkinson, commanding officer of the corps.
The ceremony marked one of the final events for the cadets before summer break. Exercises this past year included snowshoeing, canoeing, winter camping and a sports competition.
The corps boasts 30 cadets, many of whom accepted awards and promotions in front of a crowd of parents, siblings and dignitaries.
A special moment came when Cpt. Bill McLean, deputy commanding officer of the corps, accepted a clasp in honour of his 22 years of service to the program.
McLean will be forced to retire due to age this November but has pledged to return as a civilian volunteer.
“I’ve got far more out of the cadet organization than I’ve put into it,” he said.
“It’s well worth the time and energy to invest in young people.”
McLean acted as reviewing officer for the ceremony. Joining him as he inspected the cadets was Mayor Cal Huntley, who later told the youth they are doing the community proud.
Also aging out of the program is Warrant Officer Jeffrey Odegaard, who accepted a four-year service medal for his time as a cadet. Like McLean, he plans to return as a volunteer.
“He’s basically been the guiding force for the younger kids,” said Wilkinson of Odegaard. “He’s a very responsible young man.”
Wilkinson addressed a misconception about army cadets, noting that joining the youth program does not mean enlisting in the armed forces.
He said the program mainly emphasizes citizenship and physical fitness while also making youth aware of their options, once old enough, if they wish to join the armed forces.
Awards
Lord Strathcona Trust Medal (exemplary performance): Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris
Cpt. WA Sweeney Trophy (general proficiency, senior cadet): Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris
Chief Warrant Officer Fisher Trophy (general proficiency, junior cadet): Cpl. Tristan Kolenosky
Sgt. J.A. Horrocks Trophy (dress and deportment): Master Cpl. Kaylee Banting
Cpt. P. Popp Trophy (top rifle team): Master Cpl. Dulanja Baddage, Master Cpl. Mathew McDermott, Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris, Cpl. Tyler Banting, Cpl. Tristan Kolenosky
Lt. Col. F.S. Gira Trophy (citizenship): Master Cpl. Torin Abrahamson, Cpl. Michael Ward
2nd Liet. M. Beauchamp Trophy (most improved cadet): Lance Cpl. Luan Gouws
Maj. M.G. Naylor Trophy (dedication and commitment): Master Cpl. Mark Leifso
Ubique Trophy (recruiting): Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris
Best First-Year Cadet: Lance Cpl. Keenan Campbell
Four-Year Service Medal: Warrant Officer Jeffrey Odegaard
Best Attendance: Cpl. Tristan Kolenosky
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 Legion Medal (excellence and performance): Master Cpl. Kaylee Banting
Distinguish Marksman: Warrant Officer Jeffrey Odegaard, Master Cpl. Dulanja Baddage, Master Cpl. Kaylee Banting, Distinguish Marksman (cont): Master Cpl. Mark Leifso, Master Cpl. Matthew McDermott, Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris, Cpl. Tyler Banting, Cpl. Tristan Kolenosky
Level 3 marksman: Sgt. Cassandra Porteous, Maste Cpl. Torin Abrahamson, Master Cpl. Zander Brown, Master Cpl. Hayden Holmstrom, Lance Cpl. Luan Gouws, Lance Cpl. Keenan Campbell
Level 1 marksman: Lance Cpl. Chase Bishop, Lance Cpl. Ruth Roy
Gold fitness level: Maste Cpl. Kaylee Banting, Lance Cpl. Luan Gouws
Silver fitness level: Lance Cpl. Chase Bishop
Bronze fitness level: Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris, Master Cpl. Bailey Noonan, Cpl. Michael Ward
Promotions
Green Star: Lance Cpl. Connor Brown, Lance Cpl. Keenan Campbell, Lance Cpl. Luan Gouws, Lance Cpl. Chase Bishop, Lance Cpl. Eden Morris
Red Star: Cpl. Tyler Banting, Cpl. Tristan Kolenosky, Cpl. Michael Ward
Silver Star: Master Cpl. Torin Abrahamson, Master Cpl. Dulanja Baddage, Master Cpl. Zander Brown, Master Cpl. Zarine Grindle, Master Cpl. Hayden Holmstrom, Master Cpl. Mark Leifso, Master Cpl. Matthew McDermott, Master Cpl. Jemedie Morris, Master Cpl. Bailey Noonan
Gold Star: Master Cpl. Kaylee Banting
