Local Cadet to Represent Ontario at National Competition

Supplied by 155 Air Cadet Squadron… SAULT STE MARIE, Ont.- Local Cadet Sgt. Ben Fisher is representing Ontario at this years’ Air Cadet League National Effective Speaking Competition in Edmonton this week. “I Can’t wait to represent all the Air Cadets in Ontario, 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 when he found out he would be going onto the National Competition.

Ben is an Air Cadet with the 155 Borden Gray 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. Ben 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 was ” What are you thankful for”? Ben’s replay centered around family and music. He is also the Pipe Major in the 155 Borden Gray Pipe and Drum Band which placed second at this years’ Provincial Band and Drill Competition. He credits his Principal at White Pines Intermediate School Joey Turco who has been coaching Ben throughout his journey to the National Competition.

While in Edmonton the cadets who are representing the other Provinces will have a chance to see some sights of the city and area. On their arrival day Wed. the 17th of June, one of the stops for the cadets will be to visit 408 Tactical Helicopter Sqn. which is based at CFB Edmonton  and see the CF 146 Griffon Helicopter up close while meeting the pilots and ground crew of the Sqn. The cadets will visit the Telus World of Science before competing in National Effective Speaking Competition on Thursday when the 2015 Effective Speaking Top in Canada Speaker will be decided with the cadets and staff of the 155 and Ben’s supporters will be anxiously awaiting the results.

On Friday the cadets travel to the Villeneuve Airport and see the Namao Flying Club with a chance to meet private pilots to learn of the thrill of flying. The rest of the day is loaded with visiting other attractions in Edmonton. On Saturday Ben will return home

The Air Cadet League will be holding their Annual General Meeting during this same week in Edmonton. The League members will have a chance to meet and hear the Effective Speaking Competition and is one part of the program within the Air Cadet Program that the league sponsors. 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 an opportunity for youth to make lifelong friends that enjoy a challenge 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. 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/ .