The Cadet Mess Dinner: An Absolute Delight!

On Tuesday night, platoon sergeants and warrant officers gathered for the annual Cadet Mess Dinner for the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps. This lovely candlelight dinner celebrates the tremendous leadership of the Corps. Sergeants and warrant officers were joined by the Head of School, civilian instructors, officers and invited faculty members for a fine dining experience.

The Stanfield Dining Hall was completely transformed as corps trophies were proudly displayed on the tables, lights dimmed, and candles lit, the room offered a pleasant and relaxed ambience. The sergeants and warrant officers of the 254 were most impressively turned out in their Black Watch kilts, highland doublets and regimental accoutrements.

We are very fortunate to have an unbelievably talented pipe major! Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ezra Sasaki '26 piped in the head table to start the mess dinner. Then with a tap of the gavel from the President of the Mess Committee (PMC), MWO Vinnie Armstrong '25 brought the room to order for Reverend David Curry. The Rev’d asked everyone present to pause for a minute of silence as we remembered J.D. Trainor. This past week, we were heartbroken to learn of the loss of J.D., a beloved student at KES during the 2023-24 school year.

Rev’d Curry led us in our School prayer and then grace in Latin. Then we were underway with an incredible meal. Chef Jason Shoot and his team lovingly prepared a three-course fine dining experience with the Scottish tradition of haggis. Each year on or around January 25 the renowned Scottish poet Robbie Burns is celebrated with the fine history of haggis being served. A huge shout out also goes to Twila MacDonald, Food Services Manager, and members of her staff. Their efforts were greatly appreciated.

A team of 20 servers of various cadet ranks did a fantastic job serving the meal. The servers took their roles most seriously and with a sense of duty and professionalism. This dedicated team was led by chief steward and recently promoted Sergeant Emery Endres '28. Emery is an emerging leader in the 254 who is a member of the biathlon team and has taken a summer cadet expedition course at Vernon CTC.

All heads turned when the haggis was paraded out into the dining hall. What followed was an amazing performance of Ode to Haggis by Warrant Officer (WO) Jack Sangster '25 and WO Artem Dorofeev '25 with their finest Scottish accent and flair. There were many laughs as the boys rendition of Ode to Haggis was one of the best I have ever heard! This concluded with WO Jack Sangster retrieving his Sgian Dubh from his hose top to stab the haggis. Now the haggis could be served!

Throughout the evening MWO Sofia Ning '25 played the piano and Sgt Skye Hussey '26 sang a beautiful duo together. A number of ceremonial toasts would follow after their wonderful performance.

Reflected in speeches by Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram, Regimental Sergeant Major CWO Ann MacQuarrie '25, and Commanding Officer Captain James Skafte were a sense of pride in the Corps leadership.

Sofia Ning and Skye Hussey lead us in God Save the King with post dinner grace by Rev’d Curry to conclude the mess dinner. We are very blessed to have the guidance and spiritual leadership of Rev’d Curry, Corps and School Chaplain. 

 

This wouldn’t have been possible without teamwork and the dedicated efforts and attention to detail by CI Mrs. Kiaya Lakes, Cadet Operations Officer. Kiaya is the backbone of a very well-run cadet corps and is committed to ensuring all the fine details of a cadet mess dinner are looked after. A huge thanks goes out to her!

 

In conclusion this was a very special mess dinner and truly an evening to remember. It was a fun filled evening with laughter and joy. As Commanding Officer I can say this is a huge highlight each January. My utmost thanks to the sergeants and warrant officers who are leading the future leaders of the 254!