OLDS — Olds Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 185 held its 2020-21 annual ceremonial review virtually on May 27. Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper served as the reviewing officer.
During the review, the following cadets were recognized for their accomplishments during the past year.
Warrant Officer Plaque: WO 1 Sophie Anning and WO1 Logan Wachtler, Best Dress and Deportment: Cpl. Daniel Schafer, Best First Year: LAC Mason Gillings, Dedication and Enthusiasm: Cpl. Devin Calvin, Top Instructor: FSgt. Dominick Valancia-Legal, Best Junior NCO: Sgt. Luke Anning, Best Senior NCO: FSgt. Wyatt Taylor, W; President’s Trophy: FSgt. Alyssa Focker, Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence: WO1 Sophie Anning, Lord Strathcona Medal: FSgt. Alyssa Focker.
One of the highlights of the year was the Air Cadet League Effective Speaking competition, which was conducted virtually.
Sixteen cadets participated locally and three moved on to the zone level competition.
Warrant Officer First Class Anning won at the provincial competition and will be representing Alberta at the national competition on June 5.
Coun. Mary Anne Overwater, along with Municipal Planning Commission chair Rudy Durieux as well as local story teller and playwright Mary Hays volunteered to serve as judges for the provincial competition. Air Cadet officials are grateful for their help.
The past year also challenged us to be flexible and innovative to ensure we could deliver a safe and modified program, including switching to mostly online.
The cadets adapted incredibly well, including the senior cadets, who modified their instruction methods for online in order to pass on their skills and knowledge to the younger cadets, a news release says.
They also had some fun virtual competitions such as a video drill competition and a design-an-aircraft-in-Minecraft challenge.
Air Cadet officials are very thankful for the many local businesses and entities in Mountain View County as well as the town of Olds and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105, that have supported the squadron over the past year.
“We are thankful to be part of a community that supports each other,” the news release says.
