Estevan's Air Cadet squadron recently received a provincial nod of recognition for their efforts of improvement and involvement in the community.

During their weekly parade night on Tuesday evening, a banner was unveiled to name the Energy City's 30 Wylie Mitchell Air Cadets as the year's Top Rural Squadron in the province, announced during the Saskatchewan Air Cadet League's AGM in Saskatoon over the weekend.

The League, which is the main funding and activity facilitator for squadrons throughout the province, chooses the top squadron each year in several categories, including rural, based on consistent or growing numbers, strong staff, and participation in many of the regionally directed activities such as marksmanship, band, curling, survival training and effective speaking. This year, the Wylie Mitchell Cadets stood out.

"It means a lot to the squadron. It shows that our numbers are growing and that we have cadets who are really excited to participate in the activities that we offer, and the activities that are even outside of the squadron, where they can meet with other cadets from squadrons across the province," shared Captain Danielle Fleury, the group's Commanding Officer.

"We were very excited to be receiving this award. We've been working at it for quite a few years and we've been trying to get the staff and cadets interested in joining more and more activities, now they are. It's also good because we have a lot of new cadets in the squadron, so it's a good way to show them how much we do within the squadron, what's all available and how we're going to keep striving to do more and more."

One can look no further than this year's recruiting drive throughout September and October to see a prime example of the local youth program's health and progress.

"We recruited a lot of new cadets and there's a lot of cadets that have transferred in from other squadrons to our squadrons. We actually hit over forty cadets, which is very exciting. It just means that we can offer more programs and activities, we can go to more things and have greater opportunities for fundraising to go on larger trips."

"It's great that our squadron is very active. We're going to try and get out a lot in the community, and do a lot more volunteering around the community, and make the Air Cadet program known, because it's such a great, free program for any youth," Fleury said.