More than 200 guests attended the annual Ceremonial Review of 60 cadets of the 185 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron at the Olds Sportsplex on June 2.
The ceremony included award presentations and an inspection by dignitaries.
WOII Anthony Focker achieved the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
“The award challenges you to set and accomplish personal goals in four or five different areas, service, skill, physical recreation, adventurous journey, and a residential project,” explained Captain Ed Wiper, commanding officer of the squadron.
Cpl. Logan Wachtler (level two cadet) was given the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
LAC Dominick Valencia-Legal (level one cadet) was given the Best Dress and Deportment award, sponsored by the civilian committee.
LAC Tiauna Torchia (level one cadet) and LAC Noah Korver were each given the Best First Year award, sponsored by the Carstairs Branch #53 Royal Canadian Legion. They had each to attend 75 per cent of mandatory training nights in the current training year to be considered for the award.
Sgt. Kaja Jonsson (level four cadet) and Sgt. Aidan MacDonald (level four cadet) were each given the Best Junior NCO award, sponsored by the Town of Olds. The award is given to a FCPL or Sgt. who exemplifies the cadet program.
WOII Tucker Wilson (level five qualified cadet) was awarded the Best Senior NCO award, sponsored by the Three Hills Branch #92 Royal Canadian Legion.
FCPL Michael Jacobs (level three cadet) was given the Dedication and Enthusiasm award, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The award is given to a second or third year cadet who shows the most dedication and enthusiasm to the unit and the ideals of the cadet program.
WOI Ryland Sturrock (level five qualified cadet) was awarded the President's Trophy as the outstanding cadet of the year. That award was sponsored by the Olds Branch #105 Royal Canadian Legion.
WOII Dexter Hahn (level five qualified cadet) received the Grant Cunningham Award, which includes a $1,000 cheque. The recipient must, among other things, exemplify the ideals of the air cadet program.
LAC Riley Chopko (level one cadet) was given the Best First Year Shot award, sponsored by the Sutton Family.
FCPL Dmiti Harrison (level three qualified cadet) was given the Best Squadron Shot award, sponsored by Olds Green Wing.
WOII Dexter Hahn (level five cadet) was given the Top Instructor award, sponsored by the civilian committee.
WOI Ryland Sturrock (level five qualified cadet) and WOI Mateah Wiebe (graduate cadet) were given Warrant Officer plaques, sponsored by Olds Rotary Club.
Sgt. Rachael Rieberger (level four cadet) was given the Lord Strathcona Medal (LSM) as a cadet with a high level of physical fitness who is in level three or higher and is regarded by peers and supervisors as exemplifying the model cadet.
Reports say the LSM is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training.
WOII Anthony Focker was given the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence. The medal is given for, among other things, a high level of community service, meeting or enhancing the purposes and objectives of cadet organizations.
The reviewing officer at this year's ceremony was Ward MacKenzie, a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot who served at CFB Cold Lake, CFB Bagotville, CFB Chatham and with the 425th TFTS at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona flying F-5 fighter jets.
Fifteen current or former cadets of 185 Olds who have completed gold level Duke of Edinburgh Award over the past few years are scheduled to receive the award from His Royal Highness, the Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, in Calgary on June 24.
It is the 74th year there have been cadets in Olds.
