Commanding Officer Capt. Sherri Shaw presented awards on behalf of the B.C. Provincial Committee (BCPC), which is the group that oversees all air cadet squadrons in the province.
The first award was presented to the 279 Elk Valley Junior First Aid Team, which earned the Clarke Rose Bowl Award for highest-scoring junior team in the tri-service competition. The team competed in May, 2016 in Castlegar at the regional first aid competition. The competition included both individual written exams and a first aid scenario for the junior and senior teams.
Team coach, Tanya Kinch, said, “Right up to the last moment the cadets practiced and worked hard to ensure they were confident and capable.”
Teams were scored based on a combination of all the written exams and a team mark for the practical component. Both the junior and senior first aid teams from 279 Elk Valley Squadron placed first at the regional competition, and senior team captain Braydon Furedi and junior team captain Kelton Kinch also placed first for top team captain.
“The squadron success is truly a reflection of the dedication of 11 kids from a small squadron in a small valley that believe in themselves, each other and their 279 Elk Valley Cadet family,” said Kinch
The second award was presented via Skype as the cadet has graduated and is now attending the University of Victoria.
Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) Joel O’Sullivan was surprised and very pleased to learn he was the recipient of the B.O. Mayne Award for Top NCM (Non-Commissioned Member) in B.C. for the 2015-2016 training year.
“Joel has truly been an exemplary cadet, throughout his time with 279 Squadron,” said Shaw. “He was the provincial winner of the Effective Speaking Competition. His community service record was phenomenal. He was accepted for an International Air Cadet Exchange to Seoul, South Korea, last summer. He is a role model for other teens and cadets, in many ways, and our squadron is proud of all of his achievements; we know he has brought so much to our group and I hope he takes that confidence and leadership forward into his adult life.”
Elk Valley Air Cadets meet at 6 p.m. each Thursday at the Lower Sparwood Fire Hall, and is open to all teens aged 12-18 from Elkford, Sparwood, Hosmer and Fernie.