REPULSE BAY - A successful year came to a close for the cadet corps in Repulse Bay this past month with a special visit by Brig.Gen. Chris Whitecross and Lt.Cmdr. Linda Mushanski.

Cadet deputy officer Leonie Aissaoui said she enjoyed working closely with Lieut. Jennifer Perry during the past year.

Brig.Gen. Chris Whitecross, front, and Lt.-Cmdr. Linda Mushanski inspect the cadets during the Repulse Bay corps' final parade of the season in Repulse this past month. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

She said the year went well for the corps and the program offered a number of great opportunities for the kids involved.

"We had so many accomplishments this past year and it isn't over yet," said Aissaoui.

"We have 15 kids going to the cadet summer camp in Whitehorse, Yukon.

"Jolene Angotingoar will be working as a staff cadet and Lorane Siusangnark will be taking a three-week course in marksmanship at the camp.

"Kenny Sivanertok will be going to Vernon, B.C., to take a six week drill-and-ceremonial course."

Aissaoui said the number of cadets stayed about the same as the previous year.

She said the numbers dropped a bit late in the year because so many families head out on the land when the weather starts to warm.

"The kids have a lot of positive memories from this year, including the exchange program with the Montreal cadets and a special land camp we shared with Rankin cadets.

"We also had a number of cadets who won medals at various events this year, so it was a very strong year for the Repulse corp."

Aissaoui said she was happy to see some of the senior cadets take more of a leadership role this year.

She said the officers and civilian instructors relied on cadets Jolene Angotingoar and T.J. Kringayark a lot to help with drill and other classes.

"Cadets is a wonderful program for the youth of a community.

"We have a physically-challenged youth, Darrick Kaunak, who benefited so much from being a cadet and now he helps as a volunteer.

"Darrick developed strong leadership skills in the corps and it's wonderful to see how much his self-confidence has improved.

"He went to camp the past two summers as a staff cadet and the reports on him were wonderful.

"Darrick hasn't let his challenges stop him from coming a long, long way."