Legion Winners of Poster and Literary Contests and Top Cadets Will Attend Remembrance Day Ceremony

OTTAWA, Nov. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Legion announced that the winners of the Poster and Literary Contests and Outstanding Cadets of the Year will attend the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on November 11^th.

This year, the Youth and Cadet Representatives are:

Youth Representatives

Senior Colour Poster 

Ms. Olivia Zeng is the winner of the Senior Colour Poster category. She is from Coquitlam, BC, where she attended Gleneagle Secondary School. She is now attending Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Her winning poster was submitted through the Port Coquitlam Legion Branch #133 in Port Coquitlam, BC. She learned to draw and paint at the age of four and already has a collection of more than a thousand pieces of art. Her achievements include the Governor General's Medal of Excellence.

Senior Black and White Poster

Ms. Casey O'Neill is the winner of the Senior Black and White Poster contest. She is from Belleisle Creek, NB. She is a high school student at Belleisle Regional High School. She likes to draw, read and play sports such as soccer and volleyball. Her winning poster was submitted through Norton Legion Branch# 76 in Norton, NB.

Senior Essay

Mr. Shane Pendergast is from Tracadie Cross, PEI, and is the winner of the Senior Essay category.  He is currently studying at York University where he is hoping to obtain a degree in Film Production.  His hobbies include filmmaking, writing, history and basketball. His essay was submitted through the Morell Legion Branch #26 in Morell, PEI.

Senior Poetry

Mr. Ethan Harry Edstrom is from Edmonton, AB, and his poem was submitted through Strathcona Legion Branch #150 in Edmonton, AB. He is currently attending Tempo School in Edmonton, AB. In 2014 he launched his own charity called: "Saves for Socks" which aims to collect socks for the homeless. In 2015 he was awarded the Wayne Gretzky Award. His hobbies include participating in Model United Nations for High School students. 

The Royal Canadian Legion Cadets of the Year

Sea Cadet

Chief Petty Officer First Class Damian McCracken is a member of the 47 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Captain Vancouver which is located in Vancouver, BC and sponsored by the Billy Bishop Legion Branch #176 in Vancouver, BC. He is studying at Corpus Christi College, with the intention of joining the Royal Canadian Navy after achieving his degree. His hobbies include sea kayaking, hiking, and piano.

Army Cadet

Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Giesbrecht is from 2812 Seaforth Highlanders Cadet Corps in Surrey, BC which is sponsored by three Legion branches: Cloverdale Legion Branch#6, Whiterock Branch#8 and Crescent Beach Branch#240. He is currently studying at British Columbia Institute of Technology in hopes of attaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering and plans to join the Reserves as a combat engineer. His hobbies include fitness, rugby, marksmanship, hunting and playing guitar.

Air Cadet

Warrant Officer Second Class David Thomas is a member of 327 Southern Kings, RCAC(S) in Charlottetown, PEI which is sponsored by Montague Legion Branch#8 in Charlottetown, PEI. He has participated in many activities within the Air Cadet Program such as the Glider Pilot Scholarship, the Power Pilot Scholarship, biathlon and effective speaking. He hopes to participate in the glider instructor course in the next few years and teach cadets to fly and plans to attend the Moncton Flight College next September to obtain his Commercial Pilot Licence.

SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command

Image with caption: "Olivia Zeng - Coquitlam, BC - Gleneagle Secondary School - Port Coquitlam Br. #133 (CNW Group/The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161107_C4620_PHOTO_EN_813178.jpg

Image with caption: "Casey O’Neill - Belleisle Creek, NB - Belleisle Regional HS - Norton Br. #76 (CNW Group/The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161107_C4620_PHOTO_EN_813176.jpg

For further information: Anyone wishing to speak with this year's winners or for further information regarding these representatives is asked to contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, at 1-613-591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at 1-613-292-8760 or [email protected]