Williams Lake area cadets accepted awards and medals during a ceremony held Wednesday, May 29.
Cadets, along with their leaders, family and legion members gathered in the lower level of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 130 building on Barnard Street for the 2023-2024 3064 Rocky Mountain Rangers Army Cadet Corps event.
Warrant Officer Preston Sigsworth, 17, received the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence for outstanding cadet service, citizenship and comradeship. He also received the volunteer award.
Preston has been in the army cadet program for five years.
“I am surprised,” he said after receiving the medal of excellence.
His mom, Melody Sigsworth, said Preston is the youngest of her 10 children.
“I’m very, very proud of him,” she said. “He volunteers every Wednesday with the junior cadets.”
In February, her husband William Sigsworth died of cancer.
“My husband was in the military for 28 years and then worked at Burgess Plumbing and Heating for 17,” Melody said.
All of their children, but one, went to cadets and now some of her grandchildren are involved.
She said Preston also does speed skating and has qualified to compete in the BC Cup next year.
“You have to get under 60 seconds to go and he got 57,” she said.
Other awards and presentations included:
Top Green Star - Lance Cpl. Parker Kaspe
Top Red Star - Cpl. Maddison Borgfjord
Top Silver Star - Sgt. Adyn Roberts
Best Attendance - Master Cpl. Wentworth Philpotts
Best Marksmanship - Sgt. Adyn Roberts and Cpl. Maddison Borgfjord
Best Dressed - Lance Cpl. Hailey Mackenzie
Capt. Billie Sheridan, Quartermaster Stores Officer, was acknowledged for seven years of service with the cadets in Williams Lake.
Sheridan will be stepping down and moving into the position of senior instructor beginning in September.
“I will be able to hang out with all the cool kids,” Sheridan said, sparking laughter from the crowd.
“It’s been a good ride. Every cadet who comes in here takes something away when they go from the program. We could not have done all this without the parents who take time out of their busy lives to drive your children to cadets on Wednesday nights or weekends, whatever they need to do.”
Sheridan also thanked all the colleagues who give up their time to help the youth learn new skills whether it be sailing, wilderness survival, drills or music.
Cadets in the both the 202 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Chilcotin and 3064 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (Rocky Mountain Rangers) did excellent work this year, Sheridan said.
“I am proud of all you. You did a tremendous, tremendous job.”
Sheridan was also presented with a gift on behalf of the cadets and their families.
Tabitha Fournier will be taking on the role of commanding officer.
It was hoped RCMP Insp. Robert Lake of the Williams Lake RCMP could conduct an inspection of the cadets, but he was unable to attend.
“Hopefully next year,” Sheridan said.