Antigonish air cadets soar at training centres
After spending between two and six weeks at cadet training centers (CTC) across Canada this summer, several Antigonish air cadets have been recognized for their outstanding efforts.
Cadet Elizabeth Sorensen, 14, was selected as top cadet for her group on the Basic Survival Course at Greenwood CTC.
The award recognizes a cadet’s achievements on the course, not only academically, but also their high level of dress, deportment, teamwork and leadership skills.
“My favorite memory from this summer was when we stayed up to look at the stars. That night we saw three shooting stars,” Sorensen said.
“When I heard my name called for top cadet, I was excited because I had never won an award like this and it meant a lot to me that the staff had chosen me.”
Cadet Nathaniel Stuit, 12, received top cadet in his group on the General Training Course, which introduces junior cadets to different aspects of summer training, also at Greenwood CTC.
Several other cadets were also recognized for their accomplishments, including Grace Sorensen, Sam Knox, Toni Cozzi, and Carter Dunn.
Cadet Jamaal Jordan spent six weeks of his summer learning how to perform maintenance on aircraft at Canadore CTC in North Bay, Ont.
Jordan was selected from only a few deserving air cadets from Atlantic Canada to attend this advanced training and is the first air cadet from Antigonish to attend this course.
He hopes to make aircraft maintenance his career.
“Summer training is a valuable opportunity for local youth to hone their skills and explore different aspects of the air cadet program,” Capt. Derrick Mckee, Commanding Officer of 875 Antigonish Lions Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, said.
“These cadets demonstrated that hard work and perseverance go a long way.”
The Cadet Program, which includes the sea, army, and air cadets, is a peer-led leadership program for youth ages 12 to 18 supported by community volunteers and sponsors, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Navy, Army Cadet and Air Cadet Leagues of Canada.
It offers a flexible, after-school opportunity for youth looking to develop leadership, self-confidence, teamwork, and other transferable skills.