Cadets take aim at marksmanship competition
Five cadets from Creemore’s 1944 Royal Canadian Army Corps put their marksmanship skills to the test and made new friends during the Ontario Cadet Marksmanship Championships held April 18-19 at Canadian Forces Base Borden.
During the weekend, cadet corporals Kimberly Anderson, Hayden Laskosky, and Juliet Paniczko, Warrant Officer Olivia Ragazzon, and Master Corporal Tomas Valderrama Foreo competed in a provincial marksmanship competition along with 180 of their fellow cadets from across Ontario, after qualifying at a zone competition held earlier this spring. Coaching the team was civilian instructor Angela Yaeck.
Cadet marksmanship is a challenging, accessible and competitive sports program accessible to all cadets, conducted at both the local and competition levels. For Forero, marksmanship has helped him find community in the cadet program.
“This experience of competing at the regional marksmanship competition has helped me to grow as a cadet. It is great to be a part of such a supportive and welcoming environment,” he said. “I hope that other cadets interested in marksmanship will find the same positive community that I have.”
Safety is always the top priority during marksmanship activities. Cadets use the Daisy air rifle, and activities are conducted under close supervision by trained adult staff, ensuring that all safety standards are followed.
Captain Christopher Whatley, the commanding officer of 1944 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, was a staff member at the competition as a member of the results team and worked alongside the team coach, Yaeck, to help the team reach the regional level this year. “This was the first time for these cadets to compete at this level of marksmanship, and it proved to be a great learning experience. With Yaeck coaching the team, we hope to continue developing and qualify for the regional competition again next year,” said Whatley.
The program is open to all youth between the ages of 12-18 years old and aims to develop confident, self- sufficient leaders who form lasting friendships and are engaged in their communities while promoting physical fitness, healthy living, and fostering an interest in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/join-cadets.
Photo by Cadet Sergeant Diego Alvarez Trujillo, Cadet Correspondent: Cadet Master Corporal Tomas Valderrama Foreo (left) was one of five cadets from Creemore’s 1944 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps competing at the Ontario Cadet Marksmanship Championships held April 18-19, at Canadian Forces Base Borden.
