VERNON — The Range team from 676 Kittyhawk Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCACS) on the Saanich Peninsula shot their way to second place and a trip to the nationals.
The team of five air cadets competed at a precursor event in Vernon on the weekend, earning the right to travel to Gimli, Manitoba. The team gained a joint score of 3,132 points; just 33 points below the gold medal winners. Not only that, the team also received three individual medals.
Cadets from as far apart as Victoria and Fort St John gathered at the Vernon Cadet Training Centre after competing in local and area competitions to move on to the provincial event.
The cadets were only expecting one team to move on to the national finals and the youth from 676 RCACS cheerfully applauded the gold medal winners. When a second team was announced, due to a rule change this year, everyone was surprised — especially the members of 676 RCACS Range team.
“Oh ignore me!” said Cadet Sergeant Kyra Tuggle, tears of joy streaming down her face “I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it! When they called us up… I…Oh wow... We are going to Nationals!”
There are more than 52,000 Sea, Army and Air Cadets across Canada and more than 7,000 in the Pacific Region where numbers are growing each year. Cadets learn leadership and citizenship skills and have the opportunity to take part in great adventures and fun competitions.
To find out more about the Cadet Program visit cadets.ca or follow us on Twitter @BC_Cadets.
— Submitted