The 25th Annual Ceremonial Review of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 858 Skookumchuk Squadron took place at Elphinstone Secondary on June 9. This milestone event was attended by local dignitaries, including Staff Sgt. Jennifer Prunty of the Sunshine Coast RCMP, Councillor David Croal, Gibsons Legion Branch 109 president Wilma Jones, founding member Joan Thibault, league rep Marcus Sim representing the Air Cadet League of Canada’s British Columbia Provincial Committee, Luke Gordon from the Aeroclub and Gary Singbeil, youth liaison officer for the Gibsons Legion. Our review officer was LCDr. Pamela Audley, CD. The Army Cadets, Navy League, parents, grandparents, friends and families were also in attendance as well as past commanding officers of the 858 Squadron Capt. Russell Crum, Capt. Rob Waldie and Capt. Kidd also joined the celebration.
Highlights of the ceremony included a speech by FSgt. Mervy Mingo, who earned second place at the Lower Mainland Wing Effective Speaking Competition in Vancouver, B.C. The speech is part of the cadet curriculum that fosters public speaking skills. Additionally, a flag demonstration by five of the Senior Cadets (FSgt. Bradley Thomas, Sgt. Faith Mellis, Sgt. Chris Ruck, Sgt. Cole Turner and FCpl. Emma Kingsley) impressed the audience with their precision and coordination.
W01 Kayla Evenson was honored with the prestigious Russell Crum Parade Commander Award by Capt. Russell Crum himself and the Lord Strathcona Medal, the highest award for cadets, recognizing her exemplary performance in physical training and her overall excellence as a cadet. This medal was presented by Marcus Sim, our league rep from BCPC. She was also presented with an educational bursary by Wilma Jones on behalf of the Gibsons Legion (the 858 Air Cadet Legion sponsoring body) to support her aviation career to become a commercial pilot this fall.
FSgt. Mervy Mingo received the Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence from Branch 109 president Wilma Jones, recognizing his outstanding community involvement and dedication to mandatory cadet events. Effective Speaking Awards were also presented to FSgt. Mervy Mingo, FCpl. Emma Kingsley, and LAC Lochlan Reed. The Range Awards went to Cdt. Ashley Kingsley and FSgt. Bradley Thomas.
In celebration of the squadron’s 25th anniversary, the inaugural Joan Thibault Award was presented to Sgt. Faith Mellis. This award honours a cadet who exemplifies kindness, positivity, responsibility, honor, perseverance, and a commitment to improving the squadron. Aging-out mugs were presented to W01 Kayla Evenson, W02 Amelia Mellis and W02 Aaron Kaatz. These mugs are presented to cadets who reached Level 5 and reached 19 years old in the program. This is a huge achievement showing their dedication to the air cadet program!
Post-parade activities featured static displays prepared by cadets, showcasing uniform and dress standards, jet engines, aircraft carriers, forces of flight and historical aircrafts, Field Training Exercises, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), range (marksmanship), summer camps, and a popular flight simulation exhibit. Guests enjoyed a complimentary lunch sponsored by the sponsoring committee and Starbucks coffee generously donated by the Gibsons Starbucks.
Our squadron would like to recognize and congratulate the cadets who will be going to summer camp: FlSgt. Mervy Mingo to work as a staff cadet, Sgt. Cole Turner to go to Air Rifle Markmanship Instructor Course, FCpl. Daniel Claudepierre for Introduction to Survival and FCpl. Dominic Law going to Aviation Technology and Aerospace.
The 858 Skookumchuk Squadron extends its gratitude to all the volunteers and supporting businesses and organizations that contributed to the success of this year. A huge thanks go to the School District 46 and the Gibsons Legion as they have been a tremendous support to our squadron. For those aged 12 to 18 interested in joining the program, the squadron meets weekly at West Sechelt Elementary School, with activities resuming in September. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
