A record-setting year for 721 Hawk Squadron

The Whitecourt Air Cadets 721 Hawk Squadron held its annual awards banquet on Saturday, June 10 to congratulate the 2016/2017 cadets and thank the many volunteers and supporters. Following a delicious meal of roast beef with all the trimmings, cadets and guests sat back to enjoy the awards. Eighteen different awards were given out with recipients receiving either a certificate, plaque, towel/blanket (highly sought after), or a small multi-use tool.

Reviewing Officer Captain Krassey was first up handing out awards for the top cadets in each level. The level one winners were LAC Knapp and LAC Chayer, level two was F/Cpl. Van Der Meer, level three was Sgt. Taylor J and the level 4/5 winner was WO 2nd Class Taylor D.

Next up, Parent’s Committee Chair Mrs. Cherie Van Der Meer gave out the Attendance Awards which are given to cadets who have the highest attendance percentages.  Cpl. Orge N, AC Brownlee, F Sgt. Jendrick, WO11 Taylor D, LAC Jerram, and LAC Watson won in the 80 per cent and above category.  The 90 per cent and above winners are F Sgt. Bell, F/Cpl. Van Der Meer, WO I Westling, LAC Knapp, LAC Chayer, LAC Samson, Sgt. Taylor J, Cpl. Soch, LAC Pritchard, LAC Mesics, Cpl. Westling K and LAC Granley.

This year, the top attendance award went to six dedicated cadets. Cpl. Westling K, LAC Mesics, Sgt. Taylor J, LAC Samson, WO I Westling R, and F/Cpl. Van Der Meer. This year’s Most Improved Cadet was Cpl. Orge N.

The winners of the Top Dress and Deportment Award, presented the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #44, were Junior Cadet LAC Soch and Senior Cadet Sgt. Taylor J while Junior Cadet LAC Samson and Senior Cadet WOI Westling R won the Top Drill Award, presented by the Lion’s Club.

Lori Westling, Air Cadet League of Canada Squadron Advisor, awarded Cadet’s Choice. “The Cadets vote on which one of their peers they think best exemplifies what being a cadet is and who is always there to help the others.” This year’s winner was Warrant Officer 2nd Class Taylor.

For Lori, the Cadets program is a family affair. She has been involved for the last 12 years and of her seven children, six of them are in the program.  The youngest Westling is eagerly awaiting his turn to join up, too, as soon as he is old enough. Her daughter, Sara Fusco, a Red Seal Chef, prepared the meal for the banquet, coming all the way from Lethbridge. “The cadet program was really good for Sara so it’s her way to give back. She was quiet and shy and after six years in the program she had the confidence to follow her dreams.”

Next up was the Byron Moore Award. Byron was an officer with 721 Hawks in the 1960s and was a very active member, even being selected as Citizen of the Year in Whitecourt. The award is given to the cadet who best exemplifies leadership and this year’s winner was WO II Taylor D.

Wrapping up the evening Commanding Officer Captain Westling took to the stage to hand out the Commander’s Award which is presented to the individual who has excelled throughout the year in all aspects. With roars of cheers from his peers, F Sgt. Bell accepted the award.

“We had an amazing year,” said Lori. “We got two scholarships this year.”  WOI Westling is going for Power Pilot and will be spending her summer at the Medicine Hat Airport in a Cessna and WOII Taylor is one of six cadets in Alberta going to Quebec for Aerospace Science which is six weeks of space mission simulation.

On top of the scholarships, 16 cadets will be attending summer camps.  “Each squadron is only allowed a certain number of spots for summer training and this is the most we’ve ever had go,” said Lori.

The success of the 2016/2017 cadets program shows the strong leadership in place which enables cadets to take advantage of so many opportunities.  Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and to the entire Whitecourt Air Cadets 721 Hawk Squadron for another fantastic year.