Drilling up
The 5 Cyclone Air Cadets Drill Team won the 2017 Walsh Trophy in St-Jean-sur Richelieu on April 30. Courtesy photo
Kim Ferguson
Special to The Villager
SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, QUE. – On Sun., April 30, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., the 5 Cyclone Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron drill team won first place in their category at their provincial drill competition, competing in the “Walsh” category. The prestigious Walsh Trophy is awarded to the top drill team, in that category, in the Quebec and Ottawa Valley region. This year was the first in squadron history that a drill team has taken home this prize.
After placing in the top three teams in the local area earlier in March, the team, led by Cadet Sergeant Samantha Theriault, was invited to participate at the next level. The drill team, under the coaching and mentoring of Captain Denis Tanguay and Master Warrant Officer Chris Batchilder, executed a 100-movement compulsory sequence followed by a four-minute silent routine with only one word of command. The team has been practising since September and this was the culmination of the hundreds of hours of work and effort they put in.
“We were nervous but had worked so hard for this,” said Sgt. Theriault. “We were ready. It all came together on the parade square. I am so proud of the team.”
The Air Cadet program is open to any youth between the ages of 12 and 19 during the months of September to June. 5 Cyclone Air Cadet Squadron will hold their annual ceremonial review on Sat., May 27, at the Embrun arena from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more details, visit their website at www.cycloneaircadets.com.
