A number of cadets were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the past year at the annual ceremonial review (ACR) of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets on May 30.
A total of four cadets received promotions. Jamie Katryniuk and Tessa Spokes were each promoted from corporal to flight corporal. Gracie Paul was promoted from flight corporal to sergeant. Joanne Babb received a promotion from sergeant to flight sergeant.
All four of these cadets received their qualification badges for a recently-completed standard first aid CPR course.
During the awards portion of the evening, Spokes was named the top new recruit, presented by Milton Glaicar, Air Cadet League representative. This award is open to cadets who have joined the program in the current training year. Criteria include: showing enthusiasm for the program, a willingness to always be ready for a new challenge and tackling any task headlong and with a positive attitude. Dress and deportment are also determining criteria.
Katryniuk won the award for the most improved cadet, which goes to the cadet which has shown a marked improvement in dress and deportment, as well as attentiveness during classes and respect for the officers and staff as well as peers. He received the award from 2Lt. Wade Stachura, training officer.
Babb was chosen the winner of the esprit de corps award, which is voted on by other cadets in the squadron as the cadet that most exemplifies the model cadet in dress, deportment and leadership. The award was presented by Capt. Terry Eritz.
Paul won a pair of awards. She captured the commanding officers award, which is chosen by the commanding officer (CO) based on the recommendations of the training officer and observations of the cadet throughout the training year. The award was presented by Capt. Darren Paul. Some of the criteria for the award include how the cadet interacts with junior and senior cadets, how the cadet coaches and encourages younger cadets and how they set an example to follow. Participation in citizenship activities, as well as leading those activities is also taken into account.
Paul also won the Duke of Edinburgh Award; Bronze level. The award was presented by Nicholas Haines, award officer for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award of Canada/Saskatchewan Division. He said the award aspires to help young people transition to adulthood, equipping them for life after their school years are done. It recognizes students who have made a significant long-term effort in community service through volunteerism; physical activity and skill development, as well as experiencing the great outdoors through an “adventurous journey”.
This Award was established by HRH Prince Phillip (the Duke of Edinburgh) in 1956 and now operates in 143 countries worldwide. There are three levels in the Award: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. At each level, there are increasingly longer time commitments required for all of the program components, with an additional project required for the Gold level.
Paul volunteered at the local library for community service. For her skill, she learned how to speak French. Her physical recreation regime included swimming, cycling and running. She has continued on with the Duke of Ed Award program and plans to achieve her Silver Award.
Capt. Darren Paul, CO, paid tribute to the cadets for their hard work and perseverance during the past year, and commending them for the growth they have shown during the year.
He thanked 2Lt. Stachura, training officer, and Brad Chambers, training staff member, for their efforts in a variety of areas, including teaching and organizing activities.
Paul recognized the efforts of Juanita Martin as sponsor chair, Dion Spokes in spearheading and organizing fundraising efforts, and Maureen Babb for her past help as secretary/treasurer. Paul thanked Claudette Hanson for agreeing to take on the secretary/treasurer role.
He listed the wide variety of activities which the Canora squadron took part in during the past year. Those included: an air skills event with Kamsack; two cadets participated in the regional biathlon competition; a poppy drive for the Royal Canadian Legion and taking part in the Remembrance Day parade; a joint parade with Harvard air cadets in Preeceville; a survival weekend at Camp Saskadet near Kelvington with Lanigan, Wynyard and Foam Lake; taking part in the Canora winter lights parade; hosting the cadet zone curling competition; participating in the Kamsack volleyball tournament with Foam Lake and Wynyard; shovelling snow for those unable to do it themselves, and gliding in Tisdale.
Paul said the move back into the Canora Composite School for activities has given the squadron the ability to have a functional office and access to the school facilities, creating an ideal learning environment.
He thanked Lorri Dennis for accepting the role of reviewing officer for the ACR.
Dennis thanked the Canora squadron for giving her this honour. She looked back on her lengthy association with the squadron, which included over 20 years as an officer and about six or seven years as CO. Before that, she was a member while she was still a student.
“I ended up spending a great five years with the cadets and have so many memories of summer camps and ski trips, drill team competitions and all those bus trips,” said Dennis.
“Fast forward to 2018. It is difficult to interest a person in anything that doesn’t involve screen time because the world moves so fast. People rarely camp in tents anymore or canoe down a river. My own kids roll their eyes at most of what I do for fun.
“That is why I am so pleased to see the group before me tonight. Try and take advantage of everything the cadet program has to offer. You will have opportunities to do things that most people never get.
“Take that glider flight, sign up for summer camp, get down and dirty at Saskadet.
“I guarantee that when you are as old as I am you will remember those things far more than something you saw on Facebook.”
The 2017/18 Canora squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets incudes: FCpl. Ebonie Martin, FCpl. Jamie Katryniuk, FCpl. Avery Hanson, FCpl. Tessa Spokes, FSgt. Joanne Babb, AC Kaulen Katryniuk, Sgt. Gracie Paul, LAC Janis Ruiz and Sgt. Juan Mesa.
