Lieutenant-Governor's Cadets

The L-G Cadets for the year 2023-2024 are:

SERGEANT LILLIE-MAY HAWKINS OF THE ARMY CADET FORCE

Lillie-May is 17 years old and studying Creative and Digital Arts at the Guernsey College of Further Education.

She joined the Guernsey Detachment of the Army Cadet Force shortly before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, her instructor's viewed her as a rather reserved individual who might not go the distance but Lillie's determination and depth of character were very soon apparent.

Like many organisations, the Detachment switched to online engagement with its Cadets during lockdown. This proved challenging for some, but Lillie took full advantage of the opportunities on offer. Some Cadets opted to move on to other youth organisations once normal training resumed, but Lillie returned with renewed drive and enthusiasm.

Lillie is known for giving 100% to all that she does, from her College studies to the full range of Cadet activities, where she has worked hard to hone her skills as a trainer. She is described as the embodiment of one of the ACF's key values: selfless commitment. She is also well supported by her family.

ACF training can be tough at times. Lillie took part in a joint field exercise with Jersey ACF and Guernsey Royal Marine Cadets, which put them under considerable pressure. She rose to the challenge and performed particularly well, building maturity and self-confidence. She has recently been selected to join the Detachment's Royal Guard Platoon and takes pride in her attendance and turnout, which are described as exemplary. Lillie has also achieved her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and has started working towards her Gold.

Lillie was recently promoted to Sergeant, having worked hard to develop her leadership and communication skills. She now runs parade nights, which involves delegating tasks to other Cadets. Always the first to volunteer, she is a role model for the ACF and what it can offer young people.  She has even produced a high-quality video, promoting not only the Detachment, but also the wider ACF. It has also been adopted in Jersey, where the ACF Detachment has reported an impressive uptake of new recruits. 

RYA ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR, JEAN-PIERRE LE NORMAND, THE GUERNSEY SAILING TRUST

J-P is 16 years old and first encountered the Guernsey Sailing Trust seven years ago as a student with Living Education Guernsey, a home education group where he flourished, doing well in his exams and has now been offered a place on the Guernsey Institute's BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 Engineering course. 

J-P's ability and confidence have grown significantly since taking up sailing. He has proved himself to be a valuable member of the home education group, with a particular talent for helping the younger and newer members. He has achieved certificates in Seamanship Skills (Advanced Sailing Module) and Powerboat level 2 but will often forego his own sailing to assist and teach others.

J-P went on to volunteer for the Trust and in 2021 achieved his RYA Assistant Instructor qualification. While very happy to teach young people whom he knew, he worked hard to acquire the confidence to handle new and larger groups, developing into an assured instructor, able to adapt his teaching style to match his audience. Always punctual and well presented, J-P is known for the enthusiasm with which he approaches any task he undertakes.

As an instructor, J-P is calm, reassuring and a real team player, looked up to by many of the younger sailors. He skippers the Trust's Hawk 20 keel boat with beginners onboard and is working on the Trust's Sailability programme for children with a range of physical and learning disabilities, where he has also proved popular with students.

Away from the Trust, J-P helps out at the Men's Shed, which encourages men to socialise, to make and do things together to promote their wellbeing. He has also helped with its weekly outreach programme, helping older and disabled men with woodwork. J-P completed his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award with the Youth Commission, and is now a member of the Youth Forum. He achieved Grade 4 in Singing and is a member of a local group. He also enjoys climbing, attaining the highest qualification available locally, along with electronics and model-building, and is an active member of the Trinity Church Youth Group. But perhaps his most striking achievement was a 5-week unsupported return voyage in a 16' sailing dinghy to Brittany with his father, camping in the boat and navigating the canals as far as Nantes. Apparently they enjoyed 'a range of weather conditions'. 

SERGEANT INSTRUCTOR REUBEN MONTGOMERY, ELIZABETH COLLEGE COMBINED CADET FORCE

Reuben is 17 years old and currently studying Geography, Biology and Chemistry at A-Level at Elizabeth College. Also an accomplished percussionist, he is a Grade 8 drummer studying for the RSL Level 3 Diploma in Music Performance.

Reuben successfully passed his Cadet Force Instructional Techniques course and has been a member of the CCF full bore shooting squad but, due to his many commitments, is now focusing on .22 small bore, in which he has competed at National Schools level.

Reuben is also a talented fencer in Saber, who took part in the 2022 U17 and U21 Commonwealth Games, when Guernsey beat South Africa and India. He has also represented the Island in many other national and international competitions, including the British Youth Championships.

When not wielding a sword, Reuben can be found in the kitchen, either cooking up recipes for his family or working part time alongside the owner of a busy outside catering company, producing meals for weddings and corporate events. He also finds time to work with his father at Space Guernsey on decluttering, along with house and garden clearance. This work also assists local charities. But he still finds time to indulge his love of writing, placing third and receiving a Highly Commended in the Guernsey Literary Festival. 

ST JOHN'S CADET MATILDA SHELL

Described as outgoing and determined, with a willingness to help others, Matilda is 16 years old who studied at St Sampson's High School and has now transferred to the College of Further Education.

She joined St John as a Badger, thriving and progressing to become a Cadet. Matilda is known for her enthusiasm, whether working alone or in a team, and is particularly good at helping younger Cadets. She has represented Guernsey in the St John Youth Forum over the past two years, briefing her fellow Island Cadets on the wider organisation. She is always keen to help and has taken part in flag days and fun days, as well as extra training sessions with adult volunteers.  Matilda is also part of a group of older Cadets who are currently busy fundraising for a trip to Gibraltar.

At school, Matilda was a Year 11 Prefect and helped in the Support Room for younger students, as well as in the School Library.  When someone was forced to pull out, she stepped in to organise and run a successful quiz on behalf of the School PTA. Matilda is also an accomplished musician and a key member of the School Music Department, playing double bass in the String Ensemble and Orchestra, as well as performing in musical theatre. She sings in two choirs and has performed in Les Bourgs Hospice, churches, residential homes and primary schools. She also performs in Guernsey Music Centre ensembles outside of school and is a member of the Cheshire Drama Group. She is working towards her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, having completed both her Bronze and Silver

CHAIR OF THE YOUTH FORUM NEAVE CHATTING-TONKS

Neave is 16 years old and a student at The Ladies' College. She is described as an exceptional student, with a very positive attitude to learning and working with others despite having had to face some significant challenges in her life. 

Last August, Neave took part in the Rotary Young Leaders Award 3-day residential in Sark, camping for two nights and showing good leadership skills throughout. A month later she was part of the Youth States, in which young Islanders meet to discuss and select issues that they and their peers are facing. Together with the Youth Commission and States Deputies, they selected three topics for debate: mental health, legalisation of cannabis and Guernsey's housing crisis. Youth States members then put their debating skills to the test in the States Chamber. Neave rose to the challenge, preparing well and arguing with confidence and conviction, never afraid to challenge opposing views.

Neave was a member of the previous Youth Forum as Head of Media, responsible for keeping the young people of the Bailiwick informed of the group's work through social media. She approached the task with typical diligence, growing in confidence and delivering great results. She then set her sights on becoming Chair of the next term's Youth Forum and was asked to address her peers and a panel to argue why she should be given the job. Her enthusiasm and belief in the role won the day and she was appointed to lead the Forum. 

GIRLGUIDING RANGER CARMEN WALSH

Carmen is 16 years old and now a student at Elizabeth College. Her Guiding began at the age of five as a Rainbow, progressing on to Brownies and finally St Mary's Guides, at L'Islet. She then moved on to the Capelles' Ranger Section, where she has successfully achieved both her Bronze and Silver Awards. She has also completed both her Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and is now working towards her Gold.

Carmen was one of the first Guides in the Channel Islands to receive the movement's newly created Gold Award, which was presented here at Government House. She was also selected following a rigorous selection weekend in the UK to represent Girlguiding Guernsey in Morocco this summer. The camp involved hiking in the Atlas Mountains, where she saw shooting stars, camel trekking in the desert and work building a refuse storage system for a rural village, which involved having to check under rocks for scorpions.

Carmen is described as a smart, eloquent and confident young lady, with a deep love of her Island home. She relates well to young people, who instinctively engage with her and show respect. She is a Leader at St Mary's as well as the Anchor Boy Section of the 2^nd Guernsey Boys' Brigade, where she is described as an excellent role model, assisting with craft activities and badge work.

Carmen is an enthusiastic supporter of school activities, and a regular participant in Design and Technology competitions and events, as well as musical productions. She is a keen artist, whose work was exhibited as part of the Sovereign Arts Competition. Her creative talents have also come in handy at the North Show, where her family are regular entrants - and even winners - in the decorated float competition. She has also designed and sold what proved to be very popular pencil toppers, raising funds for the Smile for Georgie Foundation.