Annual Cadet Review Sees the Return of KES Alumni Lieutenant-Colonel Lauren Flaherty ’02

The formal cadet inspection takes place at the end of May each year to commemorate the completion of the training year and accomplishments of our cadets in the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps. The Reviewing Officer was Lieutenant-Colonel Lauren Flaherty CD (alumni 1996-2002) who is the A1 Logistics Officer at 1 Wing Headquarters in Kingston, Ont.

The evening was fairly brisk to say the least. Our final big event would bring the entire cadet corps together on the Tanna Turf for our 144th Annual Cadet Review of the 254.

The parade would unfold with Drill Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Kail Brown ’25 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 Chief Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie ’25. 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 Flaherty, our Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram and Commanding Officer Captain James Skafte. The Reviewing Officer took the dais and CWO Ann MacQuarrie gave the order for the general salute. Under Drum Major Vinnie Armstrong ’25 guidance the bands played O Canada for the general salute.

As the Reviewing Party conducted the Inspection our Drumline, Mil Band and, Pipes and Drums played music. The Reviewing Officer was very pleased with the high standards and excellent showing of the 254 dressed resplendent in full Highland Kit— highland doublet, kilt, balmoral, sporran and hosetops. In a corps with over 350 cadets on parade, one is very impressed!

Our Master of Ceremonies, Master Warrant Officer Sofia Ning ’25 did a fantastic job from start to finish.

The following highland cadets were recognized for their accomplishments in our cadet leadership program.

Here are the Trophy Recipients: Sergeant Emery Endres ’28 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 Hyatt Endres ’28 would take the trophy for Best Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (Male).

Grade 12 graduate Master Warrant Officer Sofia Ning  was recognized as the Best Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (Female), and Grade 12 graduate Warrant Officer Cole Cooper ’25 as the Best Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (Male). Very well done!

In Platoon 8 Warrant Officer Cameron Morton ’26 was recognized as the 2025 recipient of the Bullock Trophy for Best Platoon Warrant Officer. Our Head of School, Mr. Joe Seagram presented Cadet Logan Scothorn ’28 with the Head of school Trophy as the Best First Year Cadet.

From Mil Band, Warrant Officer Christian Goulden ’26 received Best Senior Non-commissioned Officer in the Band. Second-year Sergeant Julien Gingras ’27 won the Cadet who contributed most to the Band trophy. Young Cadet Spencer Armstrong ’30 was the most Improved Member of the Pipes & Drum Band , and Drumline Warrant Officer Lillian Blois ’27 & Sergeant Natalia Shaw ’27 were recognized with the Drumline Award. Great job to the award recipients in band!

Cadet Phil Bednara ’28 took possession of the M.A. “Stump” Ross Award. The Stump Ross Award is given to a cadet who exemplifies the quality of caring through community service. Up next were Drum Major Vinnie Armstrong and Band Sergeant Major Jacob Fines-Belcham ’25, accepting the General Bogert Plaque on behalf of Mil Band for the best platoon in the Corps. Way to go, Mil Band!

Scholarships were awarded to Warrant Officer Ezra Choo ’26 and Cadet Igho Aigbe ’26. They are both recipients of the Sydney Arnold Smith, Cecil Verge Strong, and Gerald Percy Strong Scholarship. Also receiving a scholarship was Sergeant Jacob Edgecomb ’27, who took home the Capt Alfred Shaw Scholarship. This was very well deserved by these three scholarship recipients.

Our top shot in the shooting program was Chief Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie, as she received the Black Watch Marksmanship Trophy for the third year in a row. Ann is qualified as a distinguished marksman and is the team captain of both the marksmanship and biathlon teams. She placed first in zone marksmanship (regionals), winning the competition for the second year in a row. She has had a very distinguished career in marksmanship in the Corps.

The Black Watch Plaque is awarded to the cadet leader who, through self-sacrifice of time and effort, best demonstrates the principles of instruction. This went to Drill Instructor Warrant Officer Will Larder ’26.

The Corps Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie, 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. This Annual Cadet Review is also the final parade that RSM Ann MacQuarrie will command.

Company Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Yasu Hojo ’25 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 out to top cadets to recognize their significant efforts. Master Corporal Willoughby Larder is the recipient of the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence for 2025. The Legion Medal is awarded for volunteering and community service that meets and enhances the aims and objectives of the cadet program. Company Sergeant Major of C Company, Master Warrant Officer Sierra Phillips ’25, received the most prestigious medal of the day – the Lord Strathcona Medal. This medal recognizes an outstanding cadet who demonstrates a high level of physical fitness and dedication to her corps and her country. The medal was presented by the Reviewing Officer, LCol Flaherty.

Impressing the Corps staff this year was Pipe Major Master Warrant Officer Ezra Sasaki, who received the Capt Rick Dykens Award for displaying qualities of leadership and self-sacrifice toward his fellow cadets. Ezra piped at many ceremonial events, including Operation Remembrance in Oss, Netherlands, in September.

The Drill Sergeant Major of the 254, Master Warrant Officer Kail Brown, was the most deserving candidate for The Drill Trophy. He truly contributed the most toward drill in the Corps. Kail set the bar high for what outstanding drill, dress and deportment look like as the second-in-command of the Corps.

RSM Ann MacQuarrie took The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Presentation Pace Stick in recognition of her loyalty, pride, and leadership in the cadet program while attending King’s-Edgehill School. Captain James Skafte presented her with the PPCLI pace stick.

Rounding out the group of high achievers is Company Sergeant Major of B Company, Master Warrant Officer Gabby Shaw ’25. Gabby accepted the David K. Wilson Trophy in recognition of the lifer who demonstrates longevity and loyalty in the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps.

The Grohmann Knife Award, from the Army Cadet League, was given to a gold star qualified cadet who has served as a model warrant officer and exemplified the highest qualities of leadership. The recipient, DSM Kail Brown, received the knife from Major (Ret.) Keith Hynes, CO from 2015–2023.

A very special moment took place with the presentation of the new Drum Major’s baldric sash. This beautiful sash took five months from inception to presentation at the ACR. The first cadet to wear the sash is Drum Major Vinnie Armstrong.

Speeches by Mr. Joe Seagram, LCol Lauren Flaherty, and Captain James Skafte reflected the great accomplishments and pride in the Corps. In LCol Flaherty’s speech, she reflected on life as a KES student forming up on the former Jakeman Field for the Sunset Ceremony to conclude each year. In her last year at KES, she was a Warrant Officer in the Corps and recipient of the General Bogert Plaque in 2002. LCol Flaherty spoke of her many positive experiences as a student, which led to her accepting a full scholarship to the Royal Military College. This would lead to a successful career in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

To the officers, civilian instructors and volunteers of the 254 – my heartfelt appreciation for your support and tremendous efforts in making the cadet program and all the events this year a great success. To the parents, family, friends and alumni – my sincere thanks for your support and encouragement.

As this year concludes, it has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to next year!