By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Serving as the reviewing officer for the Sherlock Squadron’s annual review brought back a flood of memories for former cadet Jaclyn Edwards.

“This program changed my life,” she told the cadets gathered at Davidson Town Hall. “I kind of want to come back . . . I’m really proud of you guys.”

The local Royal Canadian Air Cadets squadron held its review on June 1, drawing a crowd of about 20 people to the auditorium to celebrate and recognize the cadets’ achievements over the past year.

This year will mark the squadron’s 30th anniversary in Davidson, but enrolment in the program has reached its lowest level yet with just four cadets finishing out the year.

Capt. Krystal Klenk said she’s hopeful that enrolment will increase next year, as the squadron welcomed several new cadets last fall.

“Our squadron may be small, but we have achieved and overcome to make this year a success,” she told the audience during her address.

Area director Gordon McRae also expressed his pride in the program and in the results he’s seen, exhibited in the many young people who have graduated from Air Cadets.

“I always feel proud of the program,” he said. “I would very much like to see it go on.”

Along with the ceremonial review, the program on Monday night included the presentation of awards and speeches by Klenk, McRae and Edwards. Ryan Potts served as master of ceremonies.

Jaclyn, 20, is the youngest child of Bill and Sandra Edwards. She followed in the footsteps of her older brother and sister by excelling in the program.

She recalled last week how she came along to meetings with her sister before she was old enough to join. As a cadet, she quickly caught up to her sister in rank, and as a senior cadet she was two years younger than her colleagues.

Edwards — now in her second year at the University of Saskatchewan, studying microbiology, immunology and biotechnology — said she took advantage of opportunities to improve her leadership skills.

“I’m more outgoing,” she said. “I’m not afraid to step up and take charge . . . It’s definitely helped that way.”

Edwards said the program gave her many other opportunities, from summer camps and flying experience to attending the world’s largest air show in Oshkosh, Wis.

She said serving as the reviewing officer was somewhat emotional for her because she once babysat the Townsend children, now enrolled in the program themselves.

Edwards also said she hopes to see enrolment increase, and that it would be a tremendous loss if Davidson lost the squadron. Added numbers would allow the cadets to explore more opportunities, she added.

L.A.C. Jessica Townsend received both the Star Cadet award and the Best Dressed award, while L.A.C. Breanna Townsend was honoured with the award for Most Proficient First-Year Cadet.

Corp. Weston Wilcox was presented with the Most Improved Cadet of the Year, traditionally presented to second-year cadets. Klenk noted that although he is technically in his first year, he has advanced enough to reach the ranking of a second-year cadet.

The squadron enjoyed another busy year of adventures, which included competing against other cadets in zone activities in Saskatoon, taking part in a survival weekend at Buffalo Pound and attending a Snowbirds air show at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

In the winter, the cadets visited Mitchinson’s Flying Services in Saskatoon and had the opportunity to fly in a Cessna 152 two-passenger craft.

Over the year, cadets also toured the STARS Air Ambulance facility and helicopters in Saskatoon, viewed a Chinook duel propeller helicopter at 15 Wing, and flew in gliders at the Moose Jaw Gliding Centre.

Klenk, now in her sixth year as the squadron’s commanding officer, is herself a graduate of the squadron, having joined in 2004 at age 15.

She said she travels each week from her home near Watrous for the squadron meetings, noting that all of the leaders come from out of town.

Klenk said that the low enrolment numbers also mean there are fewer parent volunteers to help with the program, adding, “We also need people over here to help us grow.”

Local cadets will be busy with activities over the summer; the squadron will resume meeting in the fall with an open house on Sept. 14.

The program is open to recruits ages 12 and up. For more information, contact Klenk at 306-946-3773 or 306-946-9941, or email krykle@sasktel.net.