SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknifer Colton Fyfe has been given the award for top cadet in his platoon, and accepted the accolade from General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of Defence Staff, at a Whitehorse cadet camp.

Cadet Colton Fyfe, right, receives the award for top cadet in his platoon from General Walt Natynczyk at Whitehorse's Cadet Summer Training Centre. - Photo courtesy of C/Sgt Dain Rautenstrauch of the WCSTC

"I was really excited to know that I did the best in my platoon," said Fyfe.

The award was given to the cadet who showed a high level of leadership, personal dress, and deportment. Fyfe was chosen out of 26 others in his platoon.

After being given the award by Natynczyk, Fyfe got a chance to talk to him and said Natynczyk was a "really nice guy."

Fyfe attended the Whitehorse Cadet Summer Training Centre, which lasted for six weeks. During his time there he got to try his hand at rappelling, horseback riding, canoeing, and patrolling.

"It's been really fun, a great experience," he said. "The camp was really great, we did all kinds of fun things and got to meet tons of people."

Fyfe, 15, was born in Yellowknife and has been part of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets for about two years.

"I heard about it from my Dad and I thought it would be really interesting," he said.

While his immediate family are not involved in the military, his grandfather was in the Navy, and Fyfe said he is considering a career in the armed forces.

"I think I may go into the military when I'm older. I just like the challenge and the whole military aspect I like," he said.

According to Fyfe, the camp's schedule was not too gruelling, saying the 7 a.m. starts were eclipsed by all the fun activities during the day.

Fyfe is an active teenager having taken part in speed skating, soccer and badminton at various times in his life.

He starts Sir John Franklin High School this year where he will be able to pursue his favourite subjects, math and French.

Until then Fyfe intends to spend the remainder of the summer relaxing with his friends.