Sundre is home to the most outstanding army cadet in Alberta as recently determined by the Army Cadet League of Canada (Alberta).
Last Monday night, Nicholas Botham, 18, received the league's President's Award which is presented annually in recognition of excellence, most outstanding army cadet, Alberta.
The Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) with 3025 Didsbury Service Battalion was presented with the award by Alberta Army Cadet Southern Zone League President Major Bill Hart after the cadet corps' Change of Command ceremony Sept. 19.
“I was shocked. That's the easiest way to describe it,” said Botham.
The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the local cadet corps as well as the cadet movement throughout all of Alberta, according to officials with the local corps.
To even be considered for the award he applied for, Botham was required to meet a slew of criteria which included accomplishments such as school grades as well as those attained in his cadet training.
Being recognized feels good, he said.
“It means that overall, I've performed as an excellent cadet, my behaviour, high standard of uniform, I'm capable of instruction, and I have the ability to lead cadets and manage a group.”
Currently nearing the end of his fifth year in the army cadets, Botham spent the first few years of his corps membership learning basics such as teamwork, drills, and marksmanship.
“My main skill set has been drill,” he said.
Drill teams, he explains, must be perfectly in step and in sync while conducting manouevers - everything from windmill spins to passing rifles.
The army cadet corps has become a year round commitment for Botham. In the summers he staffs an army cadet corps camp in Vernon.
In 2009 he passed the drill and ceremony course - another prerequisite required to be considered for the award he has just won.
He credits many people with helping him achieve the feat he just has.
“Typically, the only people that get this come out of larger corps. Seeing it come out of a small corps is not only a testament to me, and the officers training us but it's a testament to everyone who helped me along the way,” Botham said.
While he will “age-out” of the cadet corps by next fall, the Sundre High School student says he has no plans to quit the movement he has come to love.
The Grade 12 student says he plans to attend university after graduation with a focus on engineering and is also considering joining the CIC, a special part of the Canadian reserves.
