Two members of the local air cadets squadron were floored when they were singled out at a recent summer course.
Ryan Kalsbeek, 13, and Keegan Prosser, 14, both attended a two-week program at the Albert Head Air Cadet Summer Training Centre on Vancouver Island in July.
At the end of the program, Prosser brought home his group's Top Cadet award, while Kalsbeek was honoured as his flight's Most Improved Cadet.
"It felt really good," said Kalsbeek, who will begin Grade 8 at Cedars Christian school in September.
"I was proud of myself."
Kalsbeek's award is handed out to someone in their group of roughly 25 who shows overall improvement in their performance, participation, attitude, conduct and teamwork skills.
He said he was surprised to be recognized, after having to adapt to standards at the camp which were different than the ones he was used to at home. Some of the differences included the height at which he was supposed to carry his arms and a larger expectation for active participation in courses as opposed to observation.
This was a continued run of recognition for Kalsbeek, who shared his squadron's best bandsman award (he plays the clarinet) and was also honoured for good citizenship in June.
Prosser was one of the course's seven top cadets, who are singled out as those who are considered to be team players and demonstrate exemplary performance in their drill, dress and deportment.
Having attended the course to learn, the D.P. Todd secondary student said he wasn't aiming for any awards. "I wasn't expecting it at all," he said of the plaque he received during the final ceremonial parade.
"My experience down there was great," said Prosser, who has always wanted to fly.
"It was a lot of fun."
Both young men became members of the 396 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Prince George last September. The group meets every Tuesday during the school year at Connaught Youth Centre. The federally-sponsored program is for young people between the ages of 12 and 18.
The two were among the more than 140 air cadets from across B.C. who attended the general training course, where they participated in military drill, sports, citizenship activities and had an opportunity to fly.
Cadets from the province's 58 squadrons are selected to attend the Albert Head facility, which also offers more advanced courses in things such as basic aviation technology, survival and military band. There are approximately 3,500 air cadets in B.C.
During his two-week tenure, classes on military history piqued Kalsbeek's interest while the opportunity to get up in the air in a four-seater plane was a highlight for Prosser.
Their experiences in cadets has opened the teens' eyes to more career opportunities.
Kalsbeek said he has always wanted to go into medicine.
"And now I could be a doctor in the military," he said.
Prosser said he is interested in attending future summer courses in aviation technology, which would also offer him a glimpse at spacecrafts.
