OLDS — Thirteen awards, two medals and three scholarships were recently presented by the Royal Canadian Air Cadets No. 185 Squadron during a virtual ceremony.
The event was held June 4 on Facebook Live, due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The awards were earned during the 2019-20 training year.
In an email, the squadron's parents association chair Mindy Focker conceded that the ceremony looked a little different than in past years, but “we still believe that these cadets deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments this short training year.”
Flight Sgt. Zachary Taylor received the president’s trophy for top cadet of the year, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion branch 105 in Olds.
He also received the $1,000 Grant Cunningham award and, as reported earlier, a power scholarship to go toward his flying career.
The Grant Cunningham award is a fund established by the parents of a former cadet to honour his memory and interest in aviation. The Cunningham committee gives the award each year to a deserving cadet to further the continuation of their aviation career.
Accepted power scholarship applicants attend a six-week course where they get the opportunity to study aviation and take an aviation exam that will reward them their Canadian private power pilots licence.
The award for best senior non-commissioned officer (NCO), sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion branch 92 in Three Hills, went to Flight Sgt. Liam Brown.
Brown also received the Lord Strathcona medal. It goes to a cadet at level three or higher who is regarded by peers and supervisors to be a model cadet as a result of knowledge acquired as well as achieving various goals set by the air cadet program, including leadership, fitness, and volunteering in the community.
Sgt. Wyatt Taylor was named best junior NCO, an award sponsored by the town of Olds. As reported earlier, he also received the airport operations scholarship.
Edwin Ibbotson received the best first year award, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion branch 53 in Carstairs.
The award for best dress and deportment, sponsored by the civilian committee, went to Flight Cpl. Kayden Baird.
The award for most dedication and enthusiasm, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, went to Cpl. Emmalee Pieper.
The top band cadet award, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Sundre branch 223, went to Sgt. Kayden Beswick.
Cpl. Jules Owen-Pole received the most improved band cadet award, also sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Sundre branch 223.
Flight Sgt. Jemmy Cottrell Wei received the top instructor award, sponsored by the civilian committee, and was also named best squadron shot, an award sponsored by the Olds Green Wing.
Leading air cadet Justin Campbell was named best first year shot. That award is sponsored by the Sutton family.
The warrant officer plaque, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Olds, went to WOI Logan Wachtler.
The Royal Canadian Legion cadet medal of excellence went to Sgt. Alyssa Focker. This medal is given for a high level of community service, a main objective in the air cadet program, as well as exemplifying good citizenship and involvement in the community.
Flight Sgt. Sophie Anning received the Airport maintenance scholarship, also reported earlier.
Focker said all scholarships and summer camps have been cancelled this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also noted the air cadets have an online fundraiser underway. Anyone who would like to donate to the local air cadets can click the link on the 185 RCAC Facebook page.
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