Inside King's-Edgehill School
On Tuesday 28 January 2020, the Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Max Cole and his Warrant Officers and Sergeants welcomed faculty, staff, Alumni and Corps staff to the annual Sergeants Mess Dinner. Guests were piped into Stanfield Dining Hall/McLellan Annex by the Corps Pipe Major, Master Warrant Officer Kelly Bouwman. We were greeted by the Mess PMC, Master Warrant Officer Will Fleming and then proceeded through the formal receiving line of the senior members of the Corps. Our Cadets looked splendid in their Highland dress.
The dining room was transformed into the Sergeant’s Mess. The tables held elaborate place settings, the candelabras were polished and lit with red and white candles for the national colors and the cadet trophies were on display. This year the dinner was moved closer to Bobby Burns day. Of course, being a Highland Corps, the haggis was well represented. Master Warrant Officer Madison Taljaard and Warrant Officer Ben Fleckenstein gave a rousing ‘Ode to the Haggis’. This ode was then challenged by Master Warrant Officer Katie Goddard and Master Warrant Officer Laura Gillis who gave us the ‘Ode to Cheesecake’. The spirit of the dinner was excellent.
Headmaster Mr Joe Seagram gave us some great words on the value of being School and Corps members. The RSM brought some congratulatory greetings to the organizers of the dinner: Ms Morgaine Sullivan and the Cadets who served the meal. We rounded out the evening with our Keynote Speaker and Alumnus, Mr Carlisle Norwood (2009), who presented some well-versed life lessons to our Cadets.
And now the best for last. The most dynamic person at the dinner was a young Grade 9 Cadet Sydney Schwartz. Sydney was the Chief Wine Steward for the dinner. With the assistance of Thane Morgan and Luca Graham, she commanded the server team. She organized and led 37 cadets in the serving of the meal, the presentation of the haggis, the preparation of the toasts and the smooth running of the event. What amazing feats are our Cadets capable of performing? Sydney, Thane and Luca were rewarded for their efforts by promotions to the rank of Sergeant at the conclusion of the meal. Well done to them, and well done to all of our members of the Sergeant’s Mess. What a great day to be a Cadet in the 254.
At King's-Edgehill School, weekly cadet activities are varied and include much more than marching and drills. Your child will learn life-long skills such as first aid or spend a fun-filled afternoon zip lining. Download the Cadet Corps PhotoJournal for more information.
