The accomplishments of 32 local cadets were recognized at the Sarnia Army Cadets 123rd annual Ceremonial Review over the weekend.
The youth, aged 12 to 18, were joined by family, friends, and local dignitaries at the Sarnia Armouries on Saturday.
Officer Cadet Jeremy Day, a training officer with the local group, said the event is held to showcase the hard work and dedication each cadet has put into the program.
"We also recognized some of our top cadets from the year as well," said Day. "Our Top Recruit Award goes to a cadet that shows initiative and excitement for the cadet program and this year the award went to Cadet (Kaden) Griffin."
A Veterans Memorial Award and Legion Medal of Excellence were given to Warrant Officer Lennox Metcalf.
The John O'Neill Memorial Trophy for the Most Improved Cadet went to Master Corporal Layland Leach.
"The Most Proficient Cadet is just a cadet who went above and beyond. They showed their initiative through different events. We gave that to Cadet (Joelle) Sposib," Day said.
Warrant Officer Myles Hobb was designated the Most Valuable Cadet, while Master Warrant Officer Davante Deen was deemed Most Outstanding Cadet.
Deen also received a Legion Medal of Excellence, a Top Marksman Award and the Lord Strathcona Medal.
The program, which runs from September to June, is offered to youth free of charge, including uniforms and trips.
"Within Sarnia, we actually have three different cadet corps and squadrons," said Day. "There's the air cadets, the sea cadets, and the army cadets. One of our common goals between all three is just to get youth involved in a program that encompasses community service and leadership."
Day said the army cadets do a lot of activities outdoors.
"Going on field training exercises, we do navigation; map and compass, we also participate in marksmanship training and biathlon training, as well as a lot of fitness and sports nights for our cadets," said Day.
More information about the group and its programming is posted on the Sarnia Army Cadets Facebook page and at Canada.ca/join-cadets
