Clockwise from left: 43 RCACS Flight Sergeant Grady Stefanick, left, is presented with the Top Cadet Trophy from Lieutenant-Commander Alan Cann, the Officer commanding the Central Prairie area; Reviewing Officer Daniel Sigouin (centre) inspects the cadets of 43 RCACS, top right; and Captain Joyce Ptolemy, the Commanding Officer of 43 RCACS, (left) receives a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from Cann. (Submitted photos/43 RCACS)  

By Angela Brown

43 The Battlefords' RCACS

Battlefords cadets honoured for successes in annual review ceremony

Jun 26, 2023 | 4:59 PM

It was a time to celebrate success during the 43 The Battlefords’ Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron (RCACS) annual ceremonial review in North Battleford.

A total of 27 youths participated in the recent ceremony, ranging in ages from 12 to 18. Youth taking part come from throughout the Battlefords area, as well as from the Edam, Medstead and Paynton areas.

Darren Roberts, Civilian Instructor Acting Training Officer with 43 RCACS, was excited to see the parade running again, a return to tradition.

“This was the first whole parade that we’ve been able to have since before Covid,” he said. “The last time we did a parade like this was in 2019. So, it’s the first time in four years.”

The vast majority of the cadets have only been in the program a year or two, but Roberts said they all performed well in the parade. He added they dedicated a great deal of work training in various components, in everything from aviation to citizenship and leadership, during the past year.

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“They all worked very hard at it since last September. This is the culmination of the training year. We’re extremely proud of their performance all year long, but especially during the parade,” Roberts said.

During the ceremony, Captain Joyce Ptolemy, Commanding Officer of 43 RCACS, was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, for her contributions since she has been with 43 RCACS.

“It was quite an honour and very much a surprise,” she said.

Ptolemy first became involved in the RCACS as a parent in 1996. She then moved into the local RCACS office in 2006, and then into uniform in 2008. Ptolemy said she finds her duty “very satisfying.”

“You see the youth come in as shy, retiring, quiet, untrained individuals,” she said. “Then, you see them leave as someone who is very confident, very poised, and has an idea where they are going in the world.”

Awards for top performing cadets went to 43 RCACS Flight Sergeant Grady Stefanick for the Top Cadet Trophy. This award is presented each year to the cadet who consistently demonstrated excellence in all aspects of the Air Cadet program. The award recipient showed a superior attitude and work ethic, achieved high academic marks and participated in many extracurricular squadron activities. The individual also consistently displayed strong leadership skills and was an inspiring motivator and team player.

Stefanick also received the Special Constable Wayne Boskill Memorial Trophy. Flight Sergeant Dawson Pete received the Myron Stetzenko Memorial Trophy, Corporal Anton Steinhardt picked up the Major Walter Kostyna Public Speaking Award, and Corporal Vivian Perry received the Unsung Hero Award.

A number of cadets were also recognized for their achievements in the following categories:

Best Level 1 Cadet – Leading Air Cadet – Alex Kim.

Best Level 2 Cadet – Corporal Nathaniel Hatendi.

Best Level 3 Cadet – Sergeant Pierson Schwab.

Best N.C.O. (Non-Commissioned Officer) – Sergeant Michael St. Amant.

Most Improved Cadet – Corporal Austin Herle.

Best Junior Marksman (Under the age of 15) – Corporal Matthew Kim.

Best Senior Marksman (Age of 15+) – Flight Sergeant Grady Stefanick.

Biathlon Award – Corporal Matthew Kim.

Best Dressed on Parade – Leading Air Cadet Alex Kim.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow