Wise move signing up with St John
St John cadet Stephen Potter has used his first aid skills on one occasion in public.
The 16-year-old was walking home from James Hargest senior campus in Invercargill when he came across a minor car crash.
He stepped in to help with a few others before an ambulance arrived.
Stephen said his six years of cadet training with St John had made him a better person.
‘‘It’s help build my confidence. ‘‘I’ve learned new skills . . . everyone [at St John] works as team to achieve a common goal.’’
Stephen noticed his confidence growing and he was mixing better with people in his second year with St John.
He is the Southland Cadet of the Year for the second time after receiving the honour in the 2016-17 term.
The country’s top cadets meet in Auckland once a year to discuss ideas brought up in their own areas. Some of the ideas are presented to the national manager.
‘‘It gives youth a voice [in St John],’’ Stephen said.
The teenager competed in the South Island A team that was overall winner at the St John National Championship in Nelson in April. The championship was part of the St John National Youth Festival. Cadets were tested on their first aid, care giving, communication and drill skills.
To be overall championship winners was a pleasant surprise to Stephen and his teammates.
‘‘I’m amazed how far we came.’’ Stephen intends to enter the Southland and South Island competitions in June and August, respectively.
‘‘St John has done so much for me . . . it’s my life.’’