Yellowknife (Oct 01/04) - Members of Yellowknife's air cadet squadron are marching with a bigger spring in their step lately, since their unit was named tops in the NWT for the third straight year.

The Hodgson Trophy was recently presented to 825 Yellowknife Elks Squadron.

"It gives the cadets something to be proud of and to work to retain," said Officer Cadet James Degraw, commanding officer for the unit.

This is the 11th time the squadron has won the trophy since it was first handed out in 1979.

Cadet units are rated for how the unit operated and its involvement in extra-curricular activities, such as biathlon, marksmanship and drill.

In her final year with the squadron, Warrant Officer Carolyn Crouch, 17, was pleased to win the trophy again.

She's been a member of 825 for four years and winning has almost become a habit.

"We kind of expected to win it," she said.

It's become a matter of pride for the senior cadets to win the trophy each year, Crouch said.

The junior cadets who move up in rank after this year now have a tradition to uphold.

"It gives our junior NCOs (non-commissioned officers) an opportunity to know what's expected next year," said Crouch.