OLDS — The evening of Feb. 2 was a special one for members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron No. 185.
During a ceremony in the Air Cadet Hall, they saw Chief Warrant Officer Alyssa Focker receive a $1,000 Bob Barraclough Scholarship toward her post-secondary education.
The scholarship award was presented by Rhonda Barraclough, chair of the Alberta provincial committee of the Air Cadet League of Alberta.
The scholarship is named after her husband Bob, who joined the Red Deer squadron in 1973.
He remained involved in cadets for most of his life, becoming involved in the Air Cadet League, E Wing director and later the vice-chair of the provincial committee.
Bob passed away a few years ago, due to complications from cancer.
After he died, Barraclough and her son set up the scholarship in Bob’s name.
It goes to an air cadet in Alberta who demonstrates good citizenship, leadership, and is a role model in their squadron, school and community, who is completing Grade 12 and has been accepted into a post-secondary institution.
Focker plans to obtain a bachelor of education degree at Red Deer Polytechnic.
"It’s not just about your marks. It’s about community activity, community engagement, cadet activity and your goals for your future,” Rhonda said.
Barraclough said Focker applied for the award last year but was unable to receive it then because she had not yet enrolled in a post-secondary institution.
“This is a great honour for WOI Alyssa Focker and her squadron, 185 Olds,” Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron No. 185 Parents Association chair Mindy Focker wrote in an email.
She noted that Alyssa has also been named the top cadet of the year in the Central Wing.
Also during the evening, Warrant Officer second class Luke Anning received a long service medal rosette and second bar for completion of his 5th year in the program.
In addition, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 president Sheila Peters and vice-president Tom Bartholow presented a cheque to help fund the squadron’s activities.
The money is a percentage of poppy campaign funds raised.
Peters told the cadets who were assembled for the ceremony that the cheque is for “all the hard work you do and Remembrance Day and throughout the poppy campaign.”
“On behalf of the legion and the poppy campaign, thank you very much,” she added.
Squadron commander Capt. Andrew Sturrock expressed his appreciation for the money on behalf of the squadron.
He said the legion has been a sponsor of the squadron “ever since we’ve been in business.”
"As you just saw, they’re continuing to support us to the best of their abilities and it makes our life easier so we can continue to participate in those activities we like to do,” Sturrock said.
"It takes a load off of you guys because you don’t have to go out and do much fundraising when we have that kind of support.”
He called for – and received – a round of applause for the donation.
