Top cadet – Sgt. Harley Christie, left, was awarded the Air Cadet of the Year award from Captain Scott Legge at the June 12 Annual Cadet Review of 197 Typhoon Squadron.
ACTON – June 12 was an exciting day for the cadets and staff at 197 Typhoon Squadron.
All 40 cadets were on parade demonstrating spectacular drill, impeccable dress, and outstanding deportment, as part of their Annual Cadet Review at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197.
This event signifies the end of another successful training year, and what a better way to celebrate that than to pass out individual awards, team awards, and unit recognition to those cadets who demonstrated the highest calibre skills, dedication, leadership, commitment and citizenship.
Lieutenant Commander Derek McNally was the reviewing officer for this year’s parade, a very important role in the overall ceremony.
The reviewing officer is the guest of honour, who inspects the cadets’ standard of uniformed-dress, drill demonstration and overall deportment.
After completing a challenging year of cadet training, it is a privilege to have someone with 20 years of experience in the cadet program as a guest, officials state.
“Both the drill team and drum line demonstrations were cadet driven, with the drill team being the first year in current memory that we have seen drill with arms,” said Captain Scott Legge, commanding officer.
“This is completely due to the initiative of two cadets who attended drill and ceremonial instructor courses last summer and brought what they had learned back to the squadron.”
Sgt. Harley Christie was presented with Air Cadet of the Year, for her outstanding contributions to almost all squadron activities throughout the year.
Retiring squadron chief, Warrant Officer 2nd Class Kate Nason was presented with the Legion Medal of Excellence for outstanding citizenship and contribution to the community.
The cadet program offers a variety of dynamic training and experiential opportunities to local youth between the ages of 12 and 18.
Both during the school season and throughout the summer, air, army and sea cadets participate in numerous activities ranging from gliding, sailing, and camping to training and cultural exchanges all across the globe. In doing so, cadets develop transferable, career-enhancing skills that will last them a lifetime.
Winners at the review include:
– Best 1st Year Cadet Award: sponsored by Acton Home Hardware awarded to Cpl. Nicole Schenk;
– Best dressed Cadet: sponsored by Legion branch 197 ladies auxiliary awarded to Sgt. Alessio Luna;
– Top Lottery Ticket Sales: sponsored by the Squadron Sponsoring Committee awarded to F/Sgt. James Cargill;
– Initiative: sponsored by the Township of Guelph-Eramosa awarded to Sgt. Alessio Luna;
– Enthusiasm: sponsored by the Town of Halton Hills awarded to WO2 Kirstan Foley;
– Top Instructor: sponsored by the Optimist Club of Halton Hills awarded to WO2 Kate Nason;
– Best Junior NCO: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Acton/Rockwood awarded to F/Sgt Madison Blackwood and F/Sgt James Cargill;
– Leadership: sponsored by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197 awarded to WO2 Sheldon Hannaford; and
– Air Cadet of the Year awarded to Sgt. Harley Christie.
Submitted Photo – The Wellington Advertiser Vol 49 Issue 30