Cheyenne Radcliffe and Lt Carla Lowther were awarded prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver last month.
Radcliffe, a former Cadet Instructors Cadre Officer from 2276 RCACC, completed all three levels of the award program. The Royal Canadian Army Cadet Program provided Radcliffe with most of the opportunities that she needed to complete the requirements for her award.
Lt Carla Lowther has been a Duke of Edinburgh Leader in Nova Scotia, as well as here in Fort St John and Dawson Creek, and was present at the ceremony to receive the only Leader certificate, honoring her position for the last 25 years.
“Getting this 25-year leadership award from Prince Edward and the program means a lot to me. I told him when we spoke, that it was 30 years ago this February he presented my Gold Award to me in Edmonton, AB. He jokingly said it was good to see me again,” said Lowther.
Radcliffe was among the 35 winners who were presented their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award by the Lieutenant Governor of BC, the Honorable Janet Austin, and the Commissioner of Yukon Territory, Angélique Bernard.
Once the awards were all received, His Royal Highness Prince Edward then entered the room and spoke with each award winner individually. After, everyone went into the main reception area which is where the parents and guests were waiting.
All three of the previously mentioned dignitaries made speeches as well as a few others, before Prince Edward mingled with he crowd for about an hour.
“I really believe in this program because it allows youth to plan their own award and show growth in such a variety of areas along the way. Having struggles is not seen as a negative thing but as an opportunity for growth. When you finally complete the requirements for any section it is such an amazing feeling. This program allows youth to demonstrate their initiative and growth in areas that are as individual as they are," said Lowther.
