A Richmond army cadet has been chosen as the top cadet in British Columbia for 2025.
Cadet Warrant Officer Zara Ahmed of the 2947 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Richmond received the President’s Trophy for this honour, awarded to her by the Army Cadet League of Canada (ACLC), BC Branch.
A cadet from the Richmond-based 2947 has received this honour five times in the past 11 years.
Ahmed is a Grade 12 student at Richmond Secondary School and is involved in many extra-curricular and service activities in Richmond and Vancouver.
“The first time I met Zara, I knew she was someone special. My rookie cadet son was paired up with her for his first poppy tagging campaign at the Ironwood McDonald’s restaurant. Her gentle demeanour and kindness could be felt immediately,” said Debbie Jiang, chairperson of the 2947 RCACC Support Committee.
“I work with a lot of youth and there are few who are as exceptional and humble as Zara. I extend hearty congratulations to her on this outstanding accomplishment.”
The President’s Trophy is given out annually in recognition of one deserving outstanding army cadet in the Pacific Region who has demonstrated leadership, initiative, mentorship and dedication to the support of the army cadet program in their community.
The recipients of this award are leaders in their cadet corps, active members in their community and excellent ambassadors for the army cadet program, Jiang explained.
Ahmed joined the 2947 Army Cadets when she was in Grade 9. She is among almost 100 cadets in this corps that meets at the Col. Sherman Armoury on No. 4 Road and Alderbridge Way.
This youth program trains students between the ages of 12 and 18 from September to June in leadership, communications and citizenship skills.
Outside of training nights, cadets have opportunities to volunteer in and around Richmond, at CHIMO’s Coldest Night of the Year Event, Doors Open Richmond and march in parades on Remembrance Day, Vimy Ridge Day and Canada Day.
They also go on excursions such as field training exercises, rock-climbing, curling, fencing, sports tournaments, Sockeyes’ games, band performances and they belong to the Marksmanship Team, First Aid Team and Drill Team.
The 2947 army cadets will be at the upcoming Salmon Festival Parade on July 1 and will have an information booth in the Net Loft.
The cadet program will start up again in the fall and the new cadet intake will take place in September at the armoury.
It is free to join and uniforms are provided at no cost. For more information, contact [email protected], visit https://www.2947armycadets.ca or call 604-657-8792.
The corps’ past winners are Master Warrant Officer Christy Chow (2015), Master Warrant Officer Joyce Li (2018), Master Warrant Officer Karen Chen (2019) and Warrant Officer Emily Chao (2020).