Navy League of Canada Honours Torbay Cadet
Petty Officer Cadet Thea Lewis has been named as Newfoundland and Labrador’s top Navy League Cadet and was nominated for top cadet in Canada. A Navy League Cadet Medal of Excellence recipient, Thea is a member of the ship’s company of 93 NLCC Fort Pepperrell. At just 11 years old, Thea has achieved the rank of Petty Officer First Class and gained the respect of her senior officers and the friendship of her fellow cadets. Her participation in the Navy League Cadets had previously been recognized when she received the new Entry Award in 2019 and the Award for Outstanding Dedication in 2021.
Thea is currently a Grade 6 French Immersion student who enjoys sports and is a member of her school ukulele band. Along with her friends, Thea helped create a ukulele club, and together they raised money for the Janeway Children’s Hospital by performing concerts for their community of Torbay, NL. Thea recognizes the importance of supporting charities and now holds annual concerts in her neighbourhood. Friends and family are important to Thea, and she is very proud of her Mi’kmaq and Metis heritage.
Participation in Cadet programs runs in the Lewis family as Thea joined the Navy League Cadets after watching her older brother take part in Air Cadet events. She has since joined the Corps’ band, drill team, and colour party and takes great pride in her uniform. Her younger brother would like to continue the tradition of joining Cadets when he is old enough.
“Thea is an inspiration and on behalf of the Navy League of Canada, congratulations,” stated John Pinto, President of the League in NL. “Her accomplishments and more so, the caring she has shown for others, epitomizes the goals of the League in our cadet program,” Pinto said. “While all our cadets are very special young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Thea stood out for her empathy, her compassion and her community service.”
Established in 1895, the Navy League of Canada aims to promote the knowledge of Maritime Affairs and support the mental and physical health of youth. The Navy League Cadet Medal of Excellence is awarded to the most skilled Navy and Sea Cadets within each Division. Thea’s award highlights her dedication to the cadet program, her fellow cadets, and her community. Though she will age out of the Navy League program this year, she wishes to continue as a cadet with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
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