MWO Sierra Phillips – A Natural Leader in Cadets

Master Warrant Officer Sierra Phillips '25 serves as the Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of Charlie Company in the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps. In this role, she oversees more than 80 cadets across Platoons 7, 8, and 9. Sierra shares leadership insights gained throughout her cadet career. Our Commanding Officer, Captain James Skafte, recently sat down with Sierra to discuss leadership within the corps. Here is their interview. 

Welcome, Sierra! How are you today? Thank you for sharing your experiences as a multi-sport athlete and offering leadership advice as the CSM of C Company. We’d love to get to know you better.

 

You are a gifted multi-sport athlete. What sports do you play? 

I started playing basketball at 6 years old and have played my whole life. I have played basketball at King’s-Edgehill School since Grade 9. In my Grade 10 year I joined the prep team which was amazing. My Grade 11 year we went to Montreal and Grade 12 is my final year of basketball at KES. I’m in my third year playing rugby at KES. I made the Nova Scotia U16 and U17 rugby team.

 

This is my first-year wrestling. My brother, Colton Phillips ’26, wrestled at KES last year and it seemed kind of fun, so I decided to join this year. I won my first and second matches with a pin and took home gold, then won regionals and am going on to provincials in Yarmouth to compete.

What hobbies do you enjoy the most?
I love being outdoors. I enjoy fishing, painting, and building things like crafts. My family is into tractor pulls, and my grandmother was very good at it. My cousins are still active in tractor pulls, and we take advantage of camping when we go to these events.

What is your favourite food?
Tacos.

Do you drive?
Sure do! I drive a vehicle and lawn tractors, just no tractor pulls.

Do you have any siblings?
I have two brothers. Carter is 10 years old, and Colton Phillips '26 is 16 and in Grade 11 at King’s-Edgehill School.

Where is your hometown?
Brooklyn, Nova Scotia.

What are some memorable sports trips that you have gone on at King’s-Edgehill School?
My most memorable trip was going to Montreal with my basketball team in Grade 11. We were the underdog team and only took seven girls, not knowing what our competition would be. We played four games and won all of them, taking home the gold! It was amazing considering we only had seven players. The experience really brought us together as a team. Afterward, our flight was delayed by three hours, and we got stuck at the airport. We didn’t get home until after midnight and got to sleep in the next day!

Could you share with us what your school leadership roles are?
I was a Steward in Grade 11. This year, I’m a Prefect and the senior day girls’ house captain.

You are a leader in cadets. What did you do to earn the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) and the appointment of Company Sergeant Major (CSM) that you have today?
In Grade 9, I was a cadet, and in Grade 10, after volunteering a lot, I was promoted to Sergeant. That summer, I attended the Argonaut Cadet Training Centre in Gagetown, NB, where I completed the fitness and sports instructor course. In Grade 11, I was promoted to Fitness Warrant Officer. Finally, in Grade 12, I was promoted to MWO and became the Company Sergeant Major of C Company. I worked my way up.

What did you do to become a great leader?
I really looked up to the Grade 12 students when I was in Grade 9, and it was my goal to be like them. Once I understood the ranking system, I set my sights on higher ranks and decided I could achieve them.

You have a lot of experience to share with others! What leadership advice do you have for younger cadets?
Be yourself and don’t follow poor examples. Always strive to be a leader, whether you think the decision is right or wrong. Consider both your own perspective and others’. Just be yourself, and don’t worry about what others think. If you want to take action as a leader, just do it. Others will see your leadership, and it will give them the confidence to follow suit. It takes time, but you will grow into your role. Once you realize that others respect what you've done, they will look up to you. It’s important to always look after the best interests of the other cadets.

Who has had a big impact on your life and is a mentor to you?
My parents and grandparents. I wouldn’t be at KES if it weren’t for my grandparents. My mom has always pushed me to be the best I can be, both academically and in sports. She makes sure I do my homework, study, and asks about my tests and grades. My mom is also an alumna of King’s-Edgehill School.

What university will you be attending in the fall?
I’ll be studying Kinesiology at Acadia University and playing rugby. I’m really looking forward to it!

That’s really awesome! Thanks for meeting with me today, Sierra, and I wish you all the best in your grad year as you prepare for your future.