Young cadet wins Diamond Jubilee medal
Josh Guillemette, 13, accumulated nine awards at annual inspection
The Northern Ranger Navy League Cadets handed out awards during its annual inspection at the community centre on Holden Street, Mount Pearl, June 9.
Among the winners was Josh Guillemette, 13, who walked away from the ceremony with nine awards, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.
“I was really shocked,” says his mother, Deborah.
“I don’t think I understood what the significance of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal was until I got home and Googled it. Then I realized that a select few are getting it, and I’m told he’s the youngest one in Newfoundland to receive it.”
There were only 60,000 Diamond Jubilee Medals given out in Canada this year to commemorate the Queen’s 60-year reign.
Josh pointed out that with a population of approximately seven million Canadians, that’s not even one medal for every one per cent.
“It just feels great to be the youngest one in Newfoundland to get it,” he says.
To be a recipient of the medal, Guillemette had to be nominated by his cadet officers in recognition of his exceptional work, discipline, and dedication.
“All the awards were judged on different stuff,” Josh says.
“Some of them are for recognizing outstanding leadership and things like that. So it’s different for each and every one.”
As a cadet of only three years, Guillemette has garnered some impressive accolades including Best Senior Cadet, Captain’s Prize, Cadet Choice, Cadet of the Year, and Perfect Career Attendance Certificate.
He is also the recipient of the Navy League of Canada’s Award of Excellence, Leadership Award, and Cadet of the Year.
“I expected to win a couple, but I didn’t expect to win nine,” Josh says of his most recent honours.
The young cadet will continue to take part in the Navy League through upcoming summer camps and leading his group in the Canada Day parade.
Josh was initially interested in cadets after a teacher told him about the program.
“I remember I had a substitute teacher, and someone came in with a brochure,” he says.
“The teacher explained how her son went off to cadets and spent a lot of time in summer camps and stuff like that. Then she said he had a lot of fun, so that made me inter-
I expected to win a couple, but I didn’t expect to win nine. Northern Ranger Navy League cadet Josh Guillemette
ested, and I decided to go.”
Since then, Josh has encouraged his friends to sign up for the Navy League, though they will soon transition to air cadets.
“Navy League is for the younger kids, ages nine to about 13. Then, after that, it’s about 13 to 18, I believe, for air cadets,” Guillemette says.
“It’s more intense, I guess. You learn about planes and stuff like that. I think I’m more interested in air cadets because I always wanted to learn to fly.”
With an aptitude for science and interest in baseball — and BMX biking, his mother adds — Josh has a multitude of talents to channel towards future career paths.
“I always wanted to be an engineer,” he says.
“But I want to stay in cadets for awhile, too.”