Fresh off a grueling, month-long training course with the Canadian Armed Forces in Ontario, Justin Powder is flying high.
The young Yellowknifer has just earned his wings SA国际影视传媒� quite literally SA国际影视传媒� by jumping out of a plane.
The hair-raising feat was the final leap in a four-week-long basic parachutist course with the Canadian Forces Advanced Land Warfare Centre at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a demanding, arduous and highly competitive program SA国际影视传媒� meant to mirror standard training for any adult military members.
Powder is 16-years-old.
SA国际影视传媒淚 really didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have any clue what to expect,SA国际影视传媒� recalled Powder, a member of the 2837 Yellowknife Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp in Yellowknife. SA国际影视传媒淚 just knew ISA国际影视传媒檇 be doing a lot of physical training."
Powder, a Metis Grade 12 student at Sir John Franklin, was right.
The only cadet from the North to be selected for the program SA国际影视传媒� only 49 army cadets are chosen across the country SA国际影视传媒� Powder was welcomed with 5 a.m. runs, exhausting drills and chinups SA国际影视传媒� lots of chinups.
During one particularly vigorous exercise, where cadets SA国际影视传媒� aged 16 to 18 SA国际影视传媒� were made to hold an intermittent SA国际影视传媒減lankSA国际影视传媒� position as they gradually snaked along the training grounds, Powder asked what he'd SA国际影视传媒済ot himself into,SA国际影视传媒� he recalled with a laugh.
But Powder is no stranger to the demands of a military lifestyle.
After all, he was born into that world.
Cpt. Sharon Low, PowderSA国际影视传媒檚 commanding officer of the 2837 Army Cadets in Yellowknife, also happens to be his mother. PowderSA国际影视传媒檚 Metis father served as a SA国际影视传媒減athfinderSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� a classification reserved for elite paratroopers within the Canadian Armed Forces.
SA国际影视传媒淗e was always just kind of the military guy,SA国际影视传媒� Powder said of his father. SA国际影视传媒淗e instilled it into me.SA国际影视传媒�
After weeks of preparation SA国际影视传媒� jumping from SA国际影视传媒渕ock towersSA国际影视传媒� while slugging hundreds of pounds of equipment SA国际影视传媒� PowderSA国际影视传媒檚 father, along with his mother Sharon, travelled to Trenton, Ontario, to see the young cadetSA国际影视传媒檚 hard work pay off.
SA国际影视传媒淪eeing him come out and watching that parachute come open SA国际影视传媒� thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no better feeling both as his commanding officer and his mom to see a kid who has worked so hard to achieve his goals,SA国际影视传媒� said Low.
SA国际影视传媒淭here is no bigger goal than achieving your parachutist course in cadets and he did it,SA国际影视传媒� continued Low, reflected on years of early morning wake up calls and trips to the gym.
For Powder, the moment was one to remember.
SA国际影视传媒淚t felt really good. After you jump out of the airplane and your parachute opens up, itSA国际影视传媒檚 just a great feeling. You just know that youSA国际影视传媒檙e finally done,SA国际影视传媒� said Powder.
To make a special day even more special, Powder lined up during a parade following the jump SA国际影视传媒� wearing his Metis sash, a garment he routinely wears during cadet ceremonies SA国际影视传媒� and had his newly-earned SA国际影视传媒渏ump wingsSA国际影视传媒� pinned to his chest by his father.
Representing the North and the territory meant a lot to the young cadet.
SA国际影视传媒淏eing the only kid from the North SA国际影视传媒� everyone just kind of looked at me differently because they think weSA国际影视传媒檙e all living in igloos and stuff. So, it was cool being from up here,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Powder isnSA国际影视传媒檛 the only young cadet from Yellowknife making a name for themselves south of 60.
Sixteen-year-old Isabel Levesque, a member of the National Rifle Team SA国际影视传媒� an elite squad made up of just 18 cadets SA国际影视传媒� recently went head-to-head with some of the worldSA国际影视传媒檚 best shooters in Bisley, England.
Picking up her C-12 target rifle and putting her nerves aside, Levesque braved hot weather and heavy layers of clothing during the highly competitive outing, which also saw her train and compete in Kanata Ontario, where she won medals. Levesque picked up prizes in England, too SA国际影视传媒� the result of years of hard work and dedication. She competed in Alberta and all three territories before making her mark internationally.
Also in her graduating year at Sir John Franklin, Levesque is taking aim at a new post-secondary challenge.
SA国际影视传媒淚 want to study education at university. My leadership has definitely improved since I joined cadets and if I do become a teacher it will definitely help,SA国际影视传媒� Levesque told Yellowknifer.
As for Powder, heSA国际影视传媒檚 mulling his options as he explores a future with the military, but regardless of what he pursues, he plans on giving it his all.
