Captain James Skafte,
Commanding Officer,
254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps
The annual Cadet review takes place at the end of May to inspect the corps’ members and commemorate the completion of the training year. The 2025 ACR of the army Cadets of 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps – its 144th – took place May 22, with reviewing officer Lieutenant-Colonel Lauren Flaherty CD (a KES alumna 1996-2002 and Royal Military College 2006 graduate), currently the A1 logistics officer at 1 Wing Headquarters in Kingston, Ontario.
It was a fairly brisk evening for an outdoor ACR, to say the least, on the Tanna Turf at KES. The parade unfolded with Cadet Master Warrant Officer Kail Brown, drill sergeant major, calling on the markers. Once in place, the corps marched on parade. After the platoon sergeants reported their numbers, the warrant officers fell in. The DSM turned over the parade to Chief Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie, Cadet regimental sergeant major. Everyone rose when the RSM gave the command to the Colour party to march on the King’s Colour and Regimental Colour of the corps.
Master Warrant Officer Ezra Sasaki, pipe major, piped the reviewing party on. This consisted of Flaherty, KES head of school Joe Seagram and 254 Corps commanding officer Captain James Skafte. Flaherty took the dais and MacQuarrie gave the order for the general salute. Master Warrant Officer Vinnie Armstrong, drum major, guided the Mil Band through O Canada for the general salute.
As Flaherty conducted the inspection, the Drumline, Mil Band and Pipes & Drums played music. She was very pleased with the high standards and excellent showing of the 254: 350 Cadets resplendently dressed in full Highland kit with doublet, Black Watch kilt, balmoral, sporran and hosetops. Master of ceremonies Master Warrant Officer Sofia Ning did a fantastic job from start to finish.
What does life as an army Cadet look like? Here are some of the many highlights! Throughout the training year, from September to June, Cadets with 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps have many exciting and fun activities. Along with training Wednesdays, Cadets in the corps enjoy many weekend activities, too!
In the Fall, we have canoeing on a local lake in Windsor. OnTree Adventure Park high ropes course is a favourite. Cadets participate in trekking, cycling, annual Cadet fitness testing, corps drill, leadership training and the star level program. In the Fall and Spring each year, there is a strong focus on expeditions with fieldcraft, navigation skills and much more being taught in the great outdoors. Cadets took their Red Cross Standard First Aid with CPR before the Christmas break.
Joint Cadet corps activities, such as the music workshop in Greenwood in December, RDA army skills weekend in Camp Aldershot, Zone Marksmanship competition, ADA marksmanship event at the Fort Edward Armouries and multi corps expedition at Falls Lake; provided Cadets with the opportunity to meet and make new friends.
On Remembrance Day, the entire corps of 350 Cadets donned their Highland uniform to march to the Windsor cenotaph to pay their respects. In January, platoon sergeants, warrant officers and corps staff gathered for the annual candlelight Mess dinner. In April, the church parade takes place, a long-standing tradition we have as a Black Watch (RHR) of Canada affiliated Cadet corps. The end of May sees the corps in Highland reds again for the Annual Cadet Review.
This summer, a number of Cadets from 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps are attending Cadet Training Centre courses in Argonaut CTC and Blackdown CTC. We wish them the best on their summer courses!
Awards and recognition
Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence for 2025, awarded for volunteering and community service to a Cadet who meets and enhances the aims and objectives of the Cadet program – Master Corporal Willoughby Larder
The Lord Strathcona Medal, recognizing an outstanding Cadet with a high level of physical fitness, dedication to her corps and her country – Master Warrant Officer Sierra Phillips, company sergeant major of Charlie Company
The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Presentation Pace Stick – Chief Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie, regimental sergeant major
Black Watch Marksmanship Trophy – Chief Warrant Officer Ann MacQuarrie, regimental sergeant major (for the third year in a row!). MacQuarrie is qualified as Distinguished Marksman, and is the team captain of both marksmanship and biathlon teams. After her first-place finish in the CCOMCS Zone Marksmanship in 2024, she won again in 2025.
