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Six young people have each been presented with a medal and a badge to mark their appointments as one of the Lieutenant Governor's Cadet for the coming year.
Their medals are engraved with their name, featuring a green ribbon an gold clasp, and were presented by His Excellency during a ceremony at Government House.
The new Cadets are Alexa Osborne; St John Ambulance Cadets, Owain Simpson; 2nd Guernsey Boys’ Brigade, Emilia Ozanne; 1st Guernsey Scouts, Sophia Matthew; The Ladies’ College, Braden Morris; Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force, and Eva Redelinghuys; The Ladies’ College.
With their families watching, the new Cadets were also presented with a certificate, and a woven badge to wear when on duty.
Each of the Cadets will support Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell in his duties as Lieutenant Governor.
Alexa Osborne of the St John Ambulance Cadets
16-year-old Alexa has been a member of St John’s Ambulance Cadets since April 2023, when she set her sights on becoming a paramedic.
She had previously been a dancer since the age of three, with a repertoire that included tap, modern, ballet and acrobatics.
She travelled to Spain in 2018 to compete in the Dance World Cup, performing alongside 16 nations in 30 degree temperatures. She was awarded a Bronze medal.
Although comparatively new to St John’s Ambulance she progressed quickly, learning First Aid and the many subjects that make up the Grand Prior Award, including Leadership & Teamwork.
Previously a prefect at Les Beaucamps High School, she now studies at the Sixth Form Centre with a view to studying Paramedic Science at University.
Alexa was described as "always willing to help others and to act on her own initiative" while her employer said she is "confident, dependable and (an) outgoing member of the team, who interacts well with customers of all ages and works well under pressure".
Corporal Owain Simpson – 2nd Guernsey Boys' Brigade
Owain is 16 years old and moved to Guernsey with his family from Hull.
He joined Year 6 of La Mare de Carteret School and enrolled in 2nd Guernsey Boys’ Brigade. He was promoted this summer to Corporal and is now one of four Squad Leaders. He is a side-drummer in the marching band, performing at key local events such as Liberation Day, the Charybdis and Limbourne memorial service and the Battle of Flowers. Owain also instructs younger drummers and takes the lead in some of the Band’s more challenging pieces.
He was named Best Boy in 2021 for smartness on parade, also receiving the Top Attendance Trophy. He was awarded the Best Boy on Camp Trophy in 2022 for his positive attitude and willingness to help others, and received the Band Trophy for being the boy who showed most promise.
Owain is studying with the Guernsey Music Service, where he is working towards Trinity College London Grade 6. He was described as "diligent, dependable and keen to learn, and always well prepared for individual lessons and ensemble sessions".
At school, Owain has received awards for his achievements in Mathematics and Computer Science, and has completed his Bronze and is now working towards his Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Explorer Scout Young Leader Emilia Ozanne
Emilia is 17 years old and studying for A Levels at The Ladies’ College.
She is also a volunteer at 1st Guernsey Scouts, where her "determination, commitment and reliability" saw her complete Young Leader training in less than a year.
She is described by her Assistant Scout Leader as being "a true all-rounder, with a conscientious and caring nature backed up by a can-do attitude".
At school, Emilia led her tutor group as Form Captain, and she was awarded a scholarship following interviews earlier this year to attend the London International Science Forum, representing Guernsey as a Young Ambassador.
Emilia was a senior prefect and the School’s Head of Science described her as "kind, considerate and an excellent role model".
Emilia also volunteered to run an activity stall for Women in Engineering, hosted by the College of Further Education and is an accomplished athlete who has represented both Guernsey and the South of England in Gymnastics.
Sophia Matthew, The Ladies' College
Sophia is 17 years old and studying for A Levels at The Ladies’ College.
She is described as "an exceptionally focussed and dedicated student as well as a remarkable communicator, able to analyse complex issues and articulate well-reasoned arguments".
Sophia is also an accomplished public speaker, with a keen interest in pursuing a career in Law after taking part in the Collas Crill Moot: a ‘mock trial’ competition.
More recently, Sophia’s talent for connecting with others and fostering cooperation saw her appointed as Lead Senior Prefect of Community, Charities and Partnerships.
Sophia is in the process of completing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. She also volunteers with local charity Health Connections, plays rugby for Guernsey Women’s Raiders and is a member of the Army Section of the Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force.
Cadet Flight Sergeant Braden Morris, Elizabeth College CCF
Braden is 17 years old and a student at Elizabeth College, where he a member of the CCF RAF Section. He holds an Advanced marksman badge and is a member of the Great Britain Under 18 Shooting Team.
Braden has shot twice at Bisley in both Schools’ and Imperial Meetings, winning several prizes and finishing in the schools’ top 100 on both occasions. He also represented Guernsey in the Overseas Match and reached the second round of the Sovereign’s Prize competition.
Braden is a familiar face on Remembrance Parades, including two as a member of the Island Guard. He also instructs younger cadets and was Island Guard Commander for this year’s Liberation Day Parade. He was named Best RAF Recruit in the 2022 Annual General Inspection and Best Cadet on the RAF Summer Camp that year. He received both the Boucher Cup for Best Junior NCO and the Contingent Commander’s Award for Best Year 11 Cadet in 2023. He also attended the Air Cadet Leadership Course and was nominated for the Sir John Thompson Memorial Sword, reaching the last four in the South-West.
Braden is a school Prefect and has performed in several school Drama productions. He represents Elizabeth College in both mixed netball and hockey while, outside of school, he is an active member of the Guernsey Velo Club racing in down-hill, cross country, time trials and triathlon. He also helps to coach the Club’s younger cyclists.
Described as "a smart, polite and affable young man who is always immaculately turned out", Braden was also noted for the fact that he never stops smiling!
Eva Redelinghuys, Ladies College and the Guernsey Youth Forum
Eva is 16 years old and a student at The Ladies’ College.
In 2022 she was elected as a member of the Youth States, representing her school. Eva is also a member of the Youth Forum and has served as Deputy Treasurer, which utilised her strategic planning and attention to detail.
Eva has a passion for youth engagement in politics and plans to launch a campaign to encourage eligible young people across the island to use their voice in the forthcoming elections, to take an interest in the States and take control of their futures by using their vote next June. Eva is also a member of Women in Public Life.
Eva has completed her Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards and is now working towards her Gold.
Pictured top: The Lieutenant Governor with his 2024/25 Cadets.
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