| Rocky Mountain cadets of 2010 say goodbye with “outstanding” grad parade
By Capt. Wendy Patterson
Another summer has come to an end at Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre. The centre held its 2010 graduation parade Friday, Aug. 20 on the Rocky Mountain parade square.
Reviewing officer was Brigadier General Wynnyk, OMM, CD, Commander Land Force Western Area… and a former army cadet.
The cadet parade commander was Cdt. Zoe Scantlebury from 2736 RCACC – who also took home several awards for her exceptional performance during the summer.
 After the general inspected the CLCC cadets and the band, he spoke to them about his own experiences as a cadet, and how those experiences helped shape his life. Presenting major awards during the parade, BGen Wynnyk also gave each recipient one of his Land Force Western Area Command Team coins.
“I give them out for excellence,” he explained. “And each of these cadets have demonstrated excellence in their particular courses.”
Award winners were as follows:
- Dennis Fleck Award (top pipes and drums cadet) – Cdt. Riley Davis
- Top Canadian Male Cadet, CLCC – Cdt. Alexandre Tessier
- Top Canadian Female Cadet, CLCC – Cdt. Zoe Scantlebury
- Top Platoon – 3 Platoon
- Wilderness Ambassador Award – 3 Platoon
- Best Cadet on Leadership – Cdt. Courtney Draghichi
- Les Priest Trophy (top cadet on rock climbing cycle) – Cdt. Caleb McIntyre
- Best Cadet on Glacier Cycle – Cdt. Riley McEachern
- Best Cadet on Kayak – Cdt. Gregor Gray (UK exchange)
- Top Cadet on Canoeing – Cdt. Jerome Harvey
- Best Cadet on Alpine Trek – Cdt. Joshua Worth
- Top Cadet on Bike – Cdt. Zoe Scantlebury
- Top Male in Sport – Cdt. Peter Wales (UK exchange)
- Top Female in Sport – Cdt. Courtney Draghichi
- Best Cadet in Rundle Platoon – Cdt. Peter Wales (UK exchange)
- Best Cadet in Kananaskis Platoon – Cdt. Marie-Pier Lapointe
- Best Cadet in Bow Platoon – Cdt. James Derabbie
- Best Cadet in Sulphur Platoon – Cdt. Edgar Clark
- Best Cadet in Norquay Platoon – Cdt. Gregor Gray (UK exchange)
- Best Cadet in Cascade Platoon – Cdt. Dale Sutton (UK exchange)
- Most Improved Pipes and Drums Musician – Cdt. Jordan Butler
- Sands Shield Award for the UK exchange – Cdt. Gregor Gray
- Best British Exchange Cadet – Cdt. Samuel Bourke
- Major CJ Devaney Esprit de Corps Award for P&D – Cdt. Natinna Ibbitson
- Horto Award for goodwill, citizenship and leadership – Cdt. Zoe Scantlebury
- Pipe and Drum Major Award – Pipe Major WO Tom Robins and Drum Major WO Richard Jones
- Top First Year Staff Cadet – WO David Hubert
- Top First Year Officer – Capt. Lee English
As well, a new award was introduced this year by Padre Charlie Durette. It was called the Peacemaker Award, and was created to recognize a cadet or staff cadet who made an effort to create harmony and a sense of community among his or her fellow cadets. The first-ever Peacemaker Award went to Cdt. Justin Landry.
Two new members were also inducted into the RMNACSTC Honourary Platoon, which recognizes significant contributions to the welfare and advancement of the training centre. Long-time RMNACSTC padre Charlie Durette and BNACC alumnus and Canadian Forces member WO Mike Gauley were presented their official ice axes, joining CWO Larry Rondeau who was inducted at the Combined Mess Mixed Dining-In earlier this summer.
As well, Rocky Mountiain commanding officer LCol Al Bratland presented framed copies of the training centre’s red-t-shirt “we support our troops” photo to BGen Wynnyk, WO Gauley and ASU Calgary CO Maj. Tremblay. He urged them to pass on the photo to Canadian troops overseas to show the cadets’ support.
Staff cadet Company Sergeant Major MWO Sarah Gaudon and Regimental Sergeant Major CWO Kirsten Pieper each received a self-portrait and a drill cane in recognition of their service.
And Sgt. Ben Turner was presented with his Master Cadet certificate by BGen Wynnyk, who comes from the same cadet corps as both himself and LCol Bratland.
Between the first and second parts of the parade, the NACPD performed a half-hour of music for the pleasure of the audience – their final show ever, as this is the last year for the National Pipes and Drums program.
LCol Bratland said he was proud of all the cadets’ performance on the parade, and throughout the summer as well. “Overall we had an outstanding parade,” he said. “And we had an exceptional training year.”
The CLCC and NACPD graduates of 2010 have now all returned to their home corps and squadrons, where they will pass on the knowledge, skills and stories they have acquired in their summer at Rocky Mountain.
For more photos of our grad parade and our awesome cadets, please visit www.rockymountainarmycadets.smugmug.com.
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