20 JANUARY 2026
CADET MESS DINNER CELEBRATES THE LEADERS OF THE 254!
On a cold, snowy evening Platoon Sergeant’s and Warrant Officers gathered for the annual candlelight Cadet Mess Dinner. At this incredible dinner we celebrated the incredible young leaders in 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps.
In attendance were Platoon & Specialty Sergeants, Warrant Officers, the Head of School, CI’s, officers and invited faculty members for a fine dining experience. Tuesday was a busy day as Stanfield Dining Room was transformed for the mess dinner. Candlesticks were polished, nametags printed and the seating plan was laid out. Corps trophies were proudly displayed on the tables, lights dimmed and with candles lit, the room offered a pleasant, relaxed ambience.
Everyone was well dressed with the Sergeants and Warrant Officer’s of the 254 looking most impressive in their Black Watch kilts, highland doublets and regimental accoutrements.
Our gifted Pipe Major, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ezra Sasaki piped in the head table to start the Mess Dinner. Then with a tap of the gavel from the President of the Mess Committee (PMC), MWO Ezra Choo brought the room to order for Madre Dawn-Lea Greer, our Corps Chaplain. The Madre led us in the School Prayer and then grace. After the blessing we began the meal that Chef Jason Shoot and his team so wonderfully prepared. A fine dining experience with haggis would await! As a Highlander at KES we recognize the Scottish traditions of our school and Scottish poet Robbie Burns with the serving of haggis.
Lead by Chief Steward, Sergeant Nadine Saleh, her team of servers did a fantastic job serving the meal. The cadet servers took their roles most seriously and with a sense of duty and professionalism. Nadine is a fine young leader in the cadet corps who was on the cadet exchange to the Netherlands and is in the gold star cadet program as a grade 10 student.
The haggis was paraded out into the dining hall by Ari Schwarz, Harlo Young, Prarthana Rammohanprabhu and Sokha Ebert. Master Warrant Officer Christian Goulden and Sergeant Aidan Donovan truly impressed us all with their incredible performance of Ode to Haggis. The boys gave it their best with a tremendously well done Scottish accent. This aptly concluded with MWO Christian Goulden retrieving the sgian dubh from his hose top to stab the haggis. Then we were on to haggis and desert!
A highlight of the evening was the incredible bagpiping of Sgt Willoughby Larder, MCpl Altyn Hood, MCpl Spencer Armstrong and Mr. Pat Lepodevin. They were joined by Sgt Abby Woodworth and Sgt Nadine Saleh on the drums for an incredible performance. It is really special to hear the bagpipes indoors as one truly gets the full experience.
There would be medal presentation to two outstanding cadets in the 254. On hand to present the medals was Major (retired) Keith Hynes who is the former Commanding Officer and current Army Cadet League Director of the corps. He presented the Army Cadet Medal of Merit with Rodger bar to WO Max Proctor. Max was a very deserving recipient of this medal! Next WO Emery Endres was presented the Army Cadet Medal of Merit with Howard bar. Well done Emery! These medals are very rare to have presented and KES was blessed to have two recipients in our corps! See the next article and meet these outstanding Cadets
Speeches were by the Head of School, Mr. Joe Seagram, who spoke on ten really great reasons why we have cadets, then Regimental Sergeant Major CWO Will Larder which included really great humour in a superbly delivered speech and then Commanding Officer Captain James Skafte on having gratitude as a leader along with his thanks to the leaders in the 254.
The conclusion of the mess dinner would have Sgt Willoughby Larder lead us in the singing of God Save the King followed by post dinner grace by Madre Greer.
A huge shout out goes to our Food Services Manager Twila MacDonald and all the members of her staff who so carefully ensured the mess dinner was of the highest standard. Their efforts are greatly appreciated.
This wouldn’t have been possible without teamwork and the dedicated efforts and attention to detail by CI Marion Robins and Captain Nicole Hastings, Cadet Operations Officer. Marion and Nicole graciously made adjustments and many last minute changes. Some were unable to attend due to the snowfall the previous night which lead to a virtual learning/hybrid day. A huge thanks goes out to Marion and Nicole for ensuring all the fine details of a cadet mess dinner were looked after!
This was a lovely mess dinner and truly an evening to remember. It was a fun filled evening with laughter and joy. As Commanding Officer, I can say this is a huge highlight each January. My utmost thanks to the Sergeant’s and Warrant Officers who are leading the future leaders of the 254!
Captain James Skafte
Commanding Officer
254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps
20 JANUARY 2026
MEET THE MEDAL OF MERIT WINNERS FROM THE 254 RCACC
WO Emery Endres was an air cadet with 507 Kentville RCACS before transferring to 254 King’s-Edgehill School RCACC. For summer courses she has successfully completed CAP2 Greenwood in 2023, Expedition Team Member in 2024 and Expedition Team Leader in 2025. WO Endres has a vast amount of qualifications in the cadet program ranging from Standard First Aid, Excellence on the cadet fitness test, qualified Distinguished Marksman, a three time member of the Marksmanship Team and is also on the Biathlon Team.
WO Endres is a recipient of the Yorston Smallwood Trophy for top junior school cadet in a corps of over 350 cadets in 2024-2025. She is a gifted musician and has participated in the Music Workshop the last two years. She is an incredible leader in the cadet corps and is always seeking new challenges in the cadet program. Her current role is serving as a Specialty Warrant Officer at the canoe site.
WO Endres is a recipient of the Army Cadet Medal of Merit with Howard Bar. WO Endres is very respected by her peers and superiors has applied to work as a Staff Cadet at Argonaut CTC this summer.
WO Max Proctor joined air cadets in PEI at the age of 12 and the following year transferred to 254 King’s-Edgehill School RCACC. WO Proctor is an outstanding leader in the cadet corps. He received the Captain Alfred Shaw Scholarship for displaying exception pride and leadership in his army cadet corps in 2024, is a member of the Marksmanship Team, is First Class Marksmanship qualified, a Standard First Aider and serves as Platoon Warrant Officer.
WO Max Proctor sets a high example for others to follow in dress, drill and deportment. He is a exemplary leader who seeks to improve himself, lead by example and seeks to inspire his platoon become the best that they can be. WO Max Proctor is a very deserving recipient of the Army Cadet Medal of Merit with Rodger Bar.
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Captain James Skafte
Commanding Officer
254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps