Lieutenant-Governor's Cadets
Each year around four or five young people from Guernsey's youth organisations, schools and charities are selected to serve as Lieutenant-Governor's Cadets. They play a special role in supporting The King's Representative at official and public functions throughout the year.
The Cadets are chosen each summer and are appointed in September, to serve for one year. Young people aged between 15 and 18 years old on 1st September are invited to apply.
For further information please contact:
Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney
Les Ozouets Campus, Les Ozouets
St Peter Port, Guernsey
GY1 2UB
Telephone number: 01481 756099
The L-G Cadets for the year 2022-2023 are:
SERGEANT ALEXANDER PAUL OF THE BOYS' BRIGADE
Alex is 16 years old and starting in the Sixth Form at Elizabeth College this September where he will study for his A-Levels.
He has been an active member of the Boys' Brigade for 11 years joining as an Anchor Boy when he was just five years old. He has worked his way through the ranks becoming a member of Company Section in 2017 and earning his promotion to Sergeant in October 2022.
Alex takes part in all activities and has been termed 'very competitive' giving one hundred percent in everything he does. He has earned his President's Badge this year and will now begin working towards his Queen's Badge.
As a member of the 2nd Guernsey Boys Brigade Band, Alex has appeared in many of the local shows and events that occur throughout the year. He started by playing cymbals and has now become a proficient side-drummer taking part in numerous events such as Liberation Day and Charybdis parades alongside the North Show and Battle of Britain. His Musical talents don't stop at percussion as he also plays clarinet, having reached grade 5 and playing in the Elizabeth College Senior Wind Band and Orchestra.
Alex also excels as a Sportsman where his talents on the tennis court have seen him compete in several local competitions. He is a member of the Guernsey County Under 18 Squad and this year, he was also selected to play in the Channel Islands' Boys Under 18 County Team competing for the County Cup. And if that isn't enough, he also participates in the Guernsey Table Tennis Leagues.
CHAIR OF THE YOUTH FORUM, MIA EDGWORTH FROM THE YOUTH COMMISSION
Mia is 16 years old and just going into her first year of A-Levels at The Ladies College.
Described as a hardworking individual that continually pushes herself to succeed, Mia was elected for a second term in the youth forum and is currently serving in her second year as Chair. She is very passionate about young people having a voice in the Bailiwick and has done presentations to senior leaders within the private and public sector and participated in various government consultations. During the first Island wide elections in 2021, Mia participated in several husting events, tasked with scrutinising all the candidates for political office and championing the voice of her peer group.
Alongside her responsibilities in the Youth Forum, Mia spends a considerable amount of time volunteering for local organisations and specialises in fundraising for charities including Born Free, Guernsey Animal Aid and Water Aid.
Mia also has a keen interest in the environment and delivered a very successful workshop for the student environment conference hosted at the Ladies College last year.
A confident public speaker, Mia has become quite the celebrity with the local radio and television, having appeared numerous times in the media, ensuring the voice of the Island's youth is always heard... loud and clear.
STAFF SERGEANT HENRY WHITTAKER, COMBINED CADET FORCES ARMY SECTION AND DRUMS CORPS
Henry is 17 years old and attends Elizabeth College where he will be going into the Upper Sixth this year to complete his A-Levels. Henry is planning a gap year after which he hopes to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University.
Henry had achieved the rank of Sergeant in the Elizabeth College CCF when he began his term as a L-G Cadte and has since been promoted to Staff Sergeant. He has been the Elizabeth College Drum Major for the last three years, the youngest Drum Major the College has ever had, and has taken part in numerous inspections and parades including leading the Remembrance Day Parade.
Drum Major is not the only musical talent Henry displays as he also plays soprano, tenor and jazz saxophone, performs in the Senior Wind Band at College and will be taking his grade 8 singing exam next year.
On speaking to Henry though, it is clear that his biggest passion is rugby. He has been selected by the Welsh Rugby Union as an elite player and has played for both the Welsh Exiles and Devon County in the English Under 18s County Championship. A huge achievement for someone from Guernsey as there is no direct pathway to the premier clubs in the UK. In the gap year between A-Levels and University, Henry plans to spend a year in New Zealand where he has secured a place in the Canterbury Crusaders' International Academy.
Henry has also found time been an inspiration to many of the younger people on the island, helping to coach the younger age groups at the Rugby Academy, volunteering at the Guernsey Sailing Trust, conducting the Junior Wind Band at College and setting an excellent example to other students in the CCF.
SENIOR YOUNG LEADER, GRACE BENNALICK, EXPLORER SCOUTS
Grace is 17 years old and in her final year of A-Levels at the Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre. However, Grace has decided not to continue into further education but instead has been offered a full-time position training to be a chef. Having worked as a waitress at a five star restaurant in Guernsey, she then progressed to a summer job working in the kitchens where she has found both a passion and a talent for working with pastry.
As a member of the Explorer Scouts, Grace has spent considerable time in recent years developing her skills as a young leader. During lockdown, she regularly attended a leadership module training course to assist in her volunteering with a local beaver pack. On completion of the training, Grace then went on to gain her Young Leader Award and became part of a team that developed a brand-new award for the Bailiwick, the Senior Leader Stripes before going on to gain that award herself. Next term, she will also be awarded the Chief Scout Platinum badge.
Grace will be helping to run the Young Leader Unit next year, taking an integral part in planning and delivering courses and developing her practical leadership skills. In addition, she has taken a section on First Aid and delivered some of the theory modules herself. She is now on track to start her adult training when she turns 18 later this year.
Grace has shown herself to be a very keen and capable leader and has been described as 'an awesome ambassador for young people on the island'.
YOUNG LEADER MADELEINE VAUDIN, GUERNSEY GIRL GUIDES
Maddy is 17 years old and attends the Guernsey Grammar School and sixth Form Centre where she is studying for her A-Levels.
Maddy joined the Girl Guides when she was just 10 years old and went on to begin her Young Leader training at 14. She has spent the last 4 years completing the Young Leader qualification, a comprehensive course of six modules covering topics around leadership, planning and working with the younger guides. Maddy has made quite a niche for herself in that role, displaying a patience and kindness to the younger girls, sharing her knowledge and ensuring everyone is comfortable and happy in their activities.
Girl Guiding is not Maddy's only activity as she also plays several instruments, achieving high grades in all her exams, attending Music Centre and playing regularly in concerts. A particularly proud moment for her was being the sole player of the fanfare at the Girl guiding Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting ceremony in front of 200 guides, leaders and parents.
Maddy also loves singing and this year, she successfully auditioned for the National Youth Choir and has been on tour with them in the UK during the recent school holidays.
An incredible bunch of young people who we hope will very much enjoy their year as a Lieutenant-Governor's Cadet.