The Annual Cadet Review at King’s-Edgehill School

This evening would turn out to be serene and beautiful as we gathered for the Annual Cadet Review on the Tanna Turf.

The formal Inspection takes place at this time of year to commemorate the completion of the training year and the accomplishments of our cadets in the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps. The Reviewing Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Rhonda Matthews who is the Commanding Officer of the Princess Lousie Fusiliers.

The parade would unfold with Drill Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Fox Sullivan '24 calling on the markers. Once in place, the corps marched on parade. After the Platoon Sergeant reported their numbers for each platoon the Warrant Officers fell. Once in place, the DSM turned over the parade to the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Chief Warrant Officer Elizabeth Hardy '24. Everyone rose when the RSM called on the Colour Party who smartly marched onto the parade.

Then Pipe Major Master Warrant Officer Ezra Sasaki '26 piped the reviewing party on. This consisted of the Reviewing Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rhonda Matthews, Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Saunders, Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram, and Commanding Officer Captain James Skafte. The Reviewing Officer took the dias and CWO Elizabeth Hardy called the general salute.

As the Reviewing Party conducted the Inspection our Mil Band and our Pipes and Drums played music. The Reviewing Officer was very pleased with the high standards and excellent showing of the 254 dressed resplendently in full Highland Kit with doublet, kilt, balmoral, sporran, and hosetops. Seeing a corps with 375 cadets on parade is a very impressive sight.

Our Master of Ceremonies, Master Warrant Officer Tanvi Manchineni '24, did a seamless job from start to finish.

The following Highland cadets were recognized for their accomplishments in our cadet leadership program:

Sergeant Lillian Blois '27 received the Yorston Smallwood Trophy as Top Junior Cadet in Grades 7, 8, and 9. Master Corporal Willoughby Larder '29 was recognized as the Best Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (Female). Master Corporal Harvey Hadley '27 would take the trophy for Best Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (Male).

Grade 12 graduate Warrant Officer Frances Aceron '24 was recognized as the Best Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (Female) and Sergeant Christopher Turgeon Caseley '26 as the Best Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (Male). Very well done!

In Platoon 11, Warrant Officer Claire Morton '24 was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Bullock Trophy for Best Platoon Warrant Officer. Our Head of School, Mr. Joe Seagram presented Cadet Brooklynn Hayman '24 with the Head of School Trophy as the Best First-Year Cadet.

In Mil Band, Drumline, and Pipes and Drums, Master Warrant Officer Samantha Mayer '24 received Best Senior Non-commissioned Officer in the band. First-year Cadet Skye Hussey '26 won the Cadet Who Contributed Most to the Band trophy. Young Cadet Altyn Hood '29 was named the Most Improved Member of the Pipes and Drum Band, and Master Corporal Sawyer Harris '28 was recognized with the Drumline Award. Great job to the award recipients in the band!

In Delta Company, the Company Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Sabine Wellard '24 took possession of the M.A. ‘Stump’ Ross Award. This award is given to a cadet who exemplifies the quality of caring through community service. Up next were Sergeant Natalia Shaw '27 and Sergeant Bristol Quinn '27 accepting the General Bogert Plaque on behalf of Drumline for the Best Platoon in the Corps. Way to go Drumline!

Scholarships were awarded to Warrant Officer Sierra Phillips '25 and Warrant Officer Vincent Armstrong '25. They are both recipients of The Sydney Arnold Smith, Cecil Verge Strong, and Gerald Percy Strong Scholarship. Also receiving a scholarship was Sergeant Maxwell Proctor '27 who took home The Captain Alfred Shaw Scholarship. This was very well deserved by these three scholarship recipients!

Our top shot in the shooting program was Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie '25 as she received the Black Watch Marksmanship Trophy. Ann is the coach of both marksmanship and biathlon! She placed first in zone marksmanship (regionals) and seventh overall in provincial marksmanship! Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie’s impressive year was capped off by also receiving The Black Watch Plaque which is awarded to the cadet leader who through self-sacrifice of time and effort best demonstrates the principles of instruction.

The Corps RSM Chief Warrant Officer Elizabeth Hardy accepted the top trophy in the corps, the Black Watch Regimental Trophy! This is awarded to the best overall cadet in the 254 regardless of years enrolled or rank held. Our Reviewing Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Matthews, did the honour of presenting the RSM with this trophy. This Annual Cadet Review is also the final parade that RSM CWO Elizabeth Hardy will command.

Company Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Jessica Etou '24 gladly accepted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s Award. The award is for exceptional attitude, deportment, dress, knowledge, and team spirit.

The following medals were given to these top cadets to recognize their significant efforts. Master Corporal Nathaelle Etou '27 is the recipient of the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence for 2024. The Legion Medal is awarded for volunteering and community service to a cadet which meets and enhances the aims and objectives of the cadet program. Training Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Tanvi Manchineni would receive the most prestigious medal of the day becoming the 2024 recipient of The Lord Strathcona Medal. This medal recognizes an outstanding cadet who has a high level of physical fitness and dedication to her corps and her country. This is also Tanvi’s final parade!

Impressing the corps staff this year was Warrant Officer Yuta Takahashi '24 who received The Captain Rick Dykens Award for displaying qualities of leadership and self-sacrifice towards his fellow cadets.

The Drill Sergeant Major of the 254, Master Warrant Officer Fox Sullivan, was the most deserving candidate for The Drill Trophy. He truly contributed the most towards drill in the corps. Fox set the bar high for what outstanding drill, dress, and deportment look like as the second-in-command of the corps! This is Fox’s final Annual Cadet Review.

The RSM, Chief Warrant Officer Elizabeth Hardy, would hands down take home The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Presentation Pace Stick. She received this in recognition of her loyalty, pride, and leadership towards the cadet program while attending King’s-Edgehill School.

Rounding out the group of high achievers is Company Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Colin Stephens '24. Colin accepted The David K. Wilson Trophy in recognition of the lifer who demonstrated longevity and loyalty in the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps.

Speeches by Lieutenant Colonel Rhonda Matthews, Mr. Joe Seagram, and Captain James Skafte reflected the great accomplishments and pride in the Corps. In Mr. Seagram’s speech, we paused so that Marketing and Communications Manager Mr. Daniel Kimbley could take an aerial corps photo with a drone!
 

To the officers, civilian instructors, and volunteers of the 254 my heartfelt appreciation for your support and tremendous efforts to make the cadet program and events this year a great success. To parents, family, friends, and alumni my sincere thanks for your support, and encouragement. As my first year as Commanding Officer concludes, this has been an incredible year and a great cadet corps to be a part of!