Last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Dawson Ellis, who was awarded in the Duke of Ed Award ceremony for his silver level achievement. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award empowers young Canadians to develop positive skills and habits. Participants benefit from their own effort and develop self-confidence, motivation, and friendships. There are four components of the award: community service, physical recreation, skill development, adventurous journey and residential project.
Dawson Ellis is pursuing a Duke of Edinburgh Silver level award. He is a highly engaged, 17-year-old cadet (Chief Petty Officer Second Class) in Phase V training at Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Undaunted. He is also an active volunteer in his school and community. He has a positive attitude and he is really excited to join any activities.
When I asked Dawson Ellis about the Duke of Ed Award, he described that it is not really an application process, it is more like a work basis which you have certain stages to go through. He also mentioned that he put a lot of work in order to get the award. The highlight of Dawson achieving the award is his cadet career. He joined the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Undaunted (RCSCC) which gave him many wonderful experience and achievements. However, he was having a lot of trouble in the RCSCC program at the beginning and he wasn’t really getting in. He didn’t choose to give up instead his persistence and hard work helped him to get on the track of success.
It was strict when I first started. What ended up happening that I got discouraged before I entered sea cadet. Instead of giving up, I decided to find a way to improve. I had to do learn the work fast or else screw up. I just went for it! Even now, I’m putting in a lot of effort. I joined 5 years ago. I found the RCSCC program when I was in Grade 7 and I thought it would be very fun to join. It was an amazing program. It is the best youth program so far.
Q: Can you talk about the experience when you were training in Bermuda? What did you do in there?
D.E. : That was a great exchange. It was a 12- day vacation. It was an international exchange, so we are going out in their country to learn their cultures and history. What we do there is experiencing the life of sea cadet in Bermuda and sightseeing. One of the things we actually did is that we dived into the sea and saw the coral reef. The reason why around the Bermuda triangle there are a lot of sinking ships is that the coral reef would shallow enough water to make the ships sinks.
As Dawson said that the Cadet career is something that he loves to do, so he is planning to be in Canadian Force in the future. Right now he is going through the application process and soon he will be in the role.
Q: Overall, what do feel when you are volunteering?
D.E. : It makes me happy when I am volunteering because you are helping other people out. It is something I’m passion about.
Q: Could you please offer a piece of advice to the future participant who will apply the Duke of Ed award?
D.E. : I highly recommend doing the lowest level possible which is bronze to get an overall idea of the process. It is a lot of work but it is well worthy. Don’t be lazy.
Dawson Ellis also hoped that more teenagers and children will join in the RCSCC because it is a great program to improve yourself into an independent and motivated person.
If you are interested in Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Undaunted, please join. A piece of advice for it is that don’t join when you are in high school. It is more enjoyable if you start at a lower age because you will have more fun experiences. If you are in Calgary, please join sea cadet and join undaunted.
