Riley Heyden, right, with the 2537 North Saskatchewan Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Battlefords Unit, receives the prestigious Major-General W.A. Howard Award from Marcel Dagenais, Secretary with the Army Cadet League of Saskatchewan, at the awards ceremony in Battleford, Tuesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Awarding excellence

Battlefords cadet honoured with prestigious award

Apr 10, 2019 | 12:54 PM

It was a proud day for Riley Heyden, Tuesday evening when the young cadet was honoured with a distinguished award for his achievements.

The 16-year-old with the 2537 North Saskatchewan Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Battlefords Unit received the Major-General W.A. Howard Award during the cadets’ awards ceremony at Heritage Christian School in Battleford.

The medal is awarded to only one cadet in each province and territory annually for having the highest overall assessment on the National Star Certification Exam (NSCE).

The award recognizes excellence in senior cadets.

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Heyden said he was thrilled to receive the honour and said he aimed to perform his best to strive for positive results in his service and studies.

“I just gave it everything I had in everything I did,” Heyden said after receiving the medal.

The Glaslyn youth also received a promotion during the ceremony, moving up from warrant officer to master warrant officer.

Heyden said he will next pursue the Maple Leaf Exchange program. He plans to take a six-week international cadet training program with the British Army Cadets in July and August in Europe, including England and Scotland, this summer. Heyden said he applied for the program previously and was glad to be accepted for it.

“I’m pretty excited. I’ve known some people who have gone and it’s a very prestigious and very good camp to go [to],” he said.

The youth will join a number of other cadets from across Canada also participating in the program.

Heyden said his long-range plans for the future include studying to be a journeyman millwright (industrial mechanic) when he completes high school. He also plans to join the regular Canadian Forces with the infantry on a part-time basis.

Marcel Dagenais, Secretary with the Army Cadet League of Saskatchewan, presented the distinguished award to Heyden during the ceremony.

Dagenais said Heyden was fortunate to be able to be the only senior cadet honoured with this award in Saskatchewan this year.

He added the award is given to an outstanding cadet who is also able to work with his peers, as well as provide instruction to them in a teaching aspect.

Capt. Brenda Cookman, Commanding Officer with 2537 North Saskatchewan Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Battlefords Unit , was proud to see Heyden honoured with the award.

She said many teachers and other community members also sent letters of recommendation for Heyden to be considered for the honour. The youth was also recognized for his volunteer service.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW