Major Jesse Olsen inspects the young cadets. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Events

Ceremonial review celebrates hard work and leadership development

May 13, 2025 | 12:03 PM

A special ceremony Monday night at the Prince Albert Armoury Building marked the continuation of a proud tradition.

Dozens of proud family members, community leaders and veterans were in attendance for the 38 Anavets Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron Ceremonial Review. Warrant Officer Jannie Kemp, 17, received a number of awards including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Lord Strathcona Medal (exemplary performance in physical training) and the Power Pilot scholarship.

He told paNOW the ceremony marks the culmination of a lot of hard work.

“I remember when I first joined,.I wanted to be the guy at the front, I wanted to have the highest rank, I wanted all the medals and you have to earn them,” he explained, adding it’s not just hard work but quality work as well.

Warrant Officer Kemp receives his King Charles III Coronation Medal. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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Kemp leads by example. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

As part of the scholarship, Kemp will have the opportunity to summer to get his private pilot’s license. With future plans that include joining the Canadian Armed Forces, he plans to attend university and study electrical engineering. This will either lead to a career as a communications electronics engineering officer or an air space engineering officer.

Kemp acknowledged that when he first started seven years ago, he had very little motivation, lacked confidence and was a little overweight.

“I am very thankful that I get to be here today. Not only because my hard work has paid off but that I get to show it off in front of everybody,” he said. “No matter how many times we will say to be humble, there is a little part of my head that says I really like being in the spotlight.”

Flight Sgt. Elizabeth Miller received a medal marking four years of service and was moved by the large crowd that showed up.

“For everyone to see all medals and accomplishments that each candidate individually had is even more important and it just makes me very proud of all my cadets as well as myself,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Admitting to being nervous about Monday’s event, Miller also acknowledged she has, over the last four years, observed a lot of personal growth with herself.

“I feel I’ve gained a lot mote confidence and drive with cadets,” she said. “It gives you more leadership skills and more confidence in yourself and in the people that you teach.”

Officer Cadet Tiana Stewart watched from the sidelines as the young cadets marched in perfect unison. She has been involved with the cadet program since she herself was a young cadet in 2008.

“I get to see them go from being 12-year-olds that are typically timid, a little bit shy, things like that, and I get to watch them progress and grow into these fantastic leaders that are outspoken, they’re willing to do public speaking events and go to public speaking competitions, they can teach and lead.”

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Stewart adds cadets provides so many important life skills that they need going into the real world that it typically helps them get acceptances into universities and college and gives them more of an idea on what they can do as careers because of the different exposures that they get in the program.

“I love this program so much. You can never get enough out of this program. It really is one of those programs that the sky is the limit,” she said.

As part of Monday night’s roughly 90-minute ceremony, a number of awards were handed out including drill proficiency, best first aider, citizenship and marksmanship.

Major Jesse Olsen travelled from Moose Jaw and thanking the parents who came out, explained how the ceremony showcases the development of the youth.

Olsen also told the cadets that the bonds they have built in the program will last a lifetime.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social