Marching through the arena
The ceremony showed off the skills the cadets have learned over the 2018/2019 training year through their annual parade and demonstrations from the band and Drill Team. Glover photo

Medal of Excellence
Warrant officer 2nd Class Mitchell Sheridan was awarded the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence for his display of leadership, community service and his participation in the squadron.
Glover photo

EMBRUN – “Before I get started on my official comments here, I just want to say, ‘Wow.’ Just simply wow and congratulations for an amazing parade.”

That’s what reviewing officer, Col. Brian Nekurak had to say about the 14th annual 5 Cyclone Squadron Ceremonial Review Sun., May. 26 at the Embrun Arena during his speech to the cadets.

After a long training year, the time came again to hold a graduation ceremony for the cadets and give them the opportunity to show off their development and accomplishments. During the ceremony, the cadets performed their annual parade around the arena rink, followed by demonstrations from both the band and Drill Team.

“All of our cadets have worked so hard this year,” said sponsoring committee chairperson, Jennifer MacDonald during her presentation. “It was wonderful to see the combination of all those hours of hard work from the band and Drill Team today. It was very impressive.”

During the training year of 2018/2019, the band team participated in both the Russell and Embrun Christmas Parades. Paul Richmond wrote, “It has been a true pleasure to see our young musicians pick up an instrument (some for the first time) and play some incredible pieces.”

A total of 10 cadets made up this year’s biathlon team, going out every morning to train on the hills to perfect their marksmanship and physical abilities. The team also performed “admirably” in this year’s regional competition as per the event brochure.

The 20 cadets of the Drill Team, under the leadership of Cmdr. Flight Sgt. Isabelle Ranger, put hours of practice into their skills throughout the year for the Regional Drill Competition. While the team did not place high enough to move on to the Provincial Competition, the team still performed magnificently.

Sgt. Jenny Willis placed first at the Effective Speaking competition with her speech, “What is the importance of gender equality in today’s youth?”

An awards ceremony was also held to congratulate the cadets who went above and beyond during the past year and exceeded expectations. Winners of the awards were as follows: Top Level 1 Cadet: Cpl. Celina Plourde; Top Level 2 Cadet: Flight Cpl. Simon Choiniere-Belanger; Top Level 3 Cadet: Sgt. Alexander MacDonald; Top Level 4 Cadet: Flight Sgt. Hannah Nadeau; Top Overall Cadet: Sgt. Anastasia Yakabuski; Community Service Award: Sgt. Alexander MacDonald; Lise Leblanc True Spirit of Air Cadets: Cpl. Nathan Kimble; Line Gagnon Memorial Volunteer Award: Mr. Paul Richmond, CD; Flying Scholarship Award: Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Cameron; Cadet Commander’s Plaque: Warrant Officer 1st Class Laurie Guilbault; Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence: Warrant Officer 2nd Class Mitchell Sheridan; Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal, Warrant Officer 1st Class Laurie Guilbault; $1,500 Bursary: Warrant Officer 2nd Class Samantha Theriault and $1,000 Bursary: Warrant Officer 1st Class Laurie Guilbault.

On Tues., May 21, an awards parade was also held to congratulate the top cadets from the competitions this past year. The winners are as follows: Effective Speaking Plaque: Sgt. Jenny Willis; Top Instructor: Warrant Officer 2nd Class Mitchell Sheridan; Top Flight: Flag Party and Band; Top Biathlete: Warrant Officer 2nd Class Mitchell Sheridan; Drill Team MVP: Warrant Officer 1st Class Laurie Guilbault; Top Musician: Sgt. Cody Gaudreault; Marksmanship Award: Sgt. Alexis Atkinson and Athletic and Sportsmanship Award: Warrant Officer 2nd Class Mackenzie Porteous.