Local Cadet Earnes Bronze at National Competition

Supplied… SAULT STE MARIE, Ont.- Local Cadet Sgt. Ben Fisher has earned a Bronze Medal representing Ontario at this years’ Air Cadet League National Effective Speaking Competition in Edmonton recently. “The Competition was great and we were treated very well during our stay in Edmonton”.  “I am so proud to be from Sault Ste Marie and the 155 Squadron, and I am grateful for all of the opportunities cadets has given me”. said Ben after competing amongst 12 other cadets from across Canada.

During their stay the competing cadets traveled to the Villeneuve Airport and visited the Namao Flying Club and had the opportunity to meet private pilots and owners while taking a familiarization flight to learn of the thrill of flying. Ben who took along the 155 Sqn. Mascot, Leading Air Cadet Bear, had a chance to fly in the Co Pilots seat of a Piper Turbo Arrow. “Once up in air I got a chance to fly for a bit and I really liked it”.”In fact I think I will try to do the work required this year to meet the entrance exam for the Flying Scholarship program”. The cadets visited the Telus World of Science before competing in National Effective Speaking Competition on Thursday when the 2015 Effective Speaking Top in Canada Speaker was decided, with the cadets and staff of the 155 and Ben’s supporters anxiously awaited the results. Also while in Edmonton they went to the Alberta Aviation Museum with the rest of the days loaded with visiting other attractions and sights of the city.

Ben is an Air Cadet with the 155 Borden Gray G.C. Air Cadet Sqn. here in Sault Ste Marie. Thirteen Air Cadets from across Ontario competed at the third stage of the Effective Speaking Competition in Hamilton recently where Ben earned first place, Top Effective Speaker in Ontario at the Air Cadet League Provincial Competition. He first had to compete locally then advanced to the Area Competition before earning a spot to compete at the provincial level. This is his second year competing at the provincial competition but the first time advancing onto the fourth and final stage. He chose from the list of official speech topics, “Education Can Happen Outside of the Classroom” which had to be five to six minutes. There was an impromptu question which had to be answered in two  to three minutes which was ” What are you thankful for”? Ben’s replay centered around family and music. He credits his Principal at White Pines Intermediate School Joey Turco who has been coaching him throughout his journey to the National Competition.

Ben is also the Pipe Major in the 155 Borden Gray G.C. Pipe and Drum Band which placed second at this years’ Provincial Band and Drill Competition. The Pipe and Drum Band offer free lessons and also have Highland Dancers. The instruments and band uniforms are supplied to the cadets at no cost.

The Air Cadet League was holding their Annual General Meeting during this same week in Edmonton. The League members had a chance to meet and hear the Effective Speaking Competition and is one part within the Air Cadet Program that the league sponsors. Another part is the Flying Scholarship which locally has those cadets interested take the ground school portion in the evenings at Sault College followed by a selection process. Those air cadets selected can earn their glider pilots license during summer training and the following summer their power pilots license at no financial cost to the cadet and is valued at over Ten Thousand Dollars. Recently the 155 has had several cadet complete both their Glider and Power Pilot’s licenses. Other past cadets have gone onto civilian and military careers as a pilot.    The Air Cadet League of Canada is a civilian, non-profit, community-based and volunteer-led organization that in collaboration with the Department of National Defence and our other partners, is dedicated to supporting the objectives of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program. The purposes of the League are to advance the education of the Air Cadets and to promote an interest in the air element of the Canadian Forces, specifically: ” To increase knowledge of aviation by providing educational programs and resources, including flight and ground crew training, guided visits to science and aviation facilities, and aviation-related awards and scholarships; ” To encourage the development of citizenship and leadership through enrichment activities such as effective speaking and music, community volunteer opportunities, and academic awards and scholarships; and ” To provide air cadet training as a means of promoting the efficiency of the armed forces. (From the Air Cadet League of Canada Web Site.) The 155 Air Cadet Sqn is one of 436 Air Cadet Sqn’s in Canada comprising of 23,000, male and female cadets aged 12 to 18. This is an opportunity for youth to make lifelong friends that enjoy a challenge experience while learning to become future leaders. Weekly training takes place at the Pine Street Armoury from 6:30 pm to 9:30 on Wed nights from Sept until mid June. The Sqn. is stood down for the summer with numerous cadets taking part in summer training. Those interested in joining are encouraged to visit us in Sept. There is no cost to join or for the regular training, uniforms, music lessons and summer training. To Learn more about the 155 Sqn. visit us at, http://www.aircadets.ca/155/ .