While Sonia demonstrated impressive leadership skills even at a very young age, joining SJA enabled Sonia to refine those skills and apply them in a meaningful capacity. As a Youth Crusader member in the Cadets, Sonia exhibited important qualities. When circumstances necessitated a leadership change in the division, the OIC selected Sonia to take on the role as Administrative Officer of the Division.

 

From her SJA beginnings in the cadets to her latter years in the Brigade, Sonia has held a number of positions.
 
Among Sonia’s many career highlights as a volunteer Brigade member is the 2001 launch of the Division 389 CPR-a-Thon, where Sonia was placed as the officer-in-charge of coordinating the event. The event proved a success, as it brought media attention, recruitment, and donations. Over time, the CPR-a-Thon garnered the participation of every Division.

 

The efforts of the CPR-a-Thon has helped several SJA divisions in both the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley. More importantly, in 2014, the CPR-a-Thon enabled the cadets to raise money for another charity’s cause.

 

In 2014, the funds generated from the CPR-a-Thon were used to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for some of SJA’s generous community partners. Partners such as Charis Camp, the Salvation Army, and Alpha Secondary School graciously accepted the donations. Sonia realized that as an organization, SJA’s potential to impact lives extended far beyond the teaching of first aid, or volunteering at events. For Sonia, SJA’s impact could also include equipping and empowering the broader community to save lives.
 
In 2012, Sonia completed a Masters in Public Health, an education that has expanded her skills and abilities. Sonia is now a liaison officer with Division 965 in Maple Ridge. Consistently demonstrating total commitment to the well-being and effectiveness of her Division, Sonia  advocates for the Division by working with the BEC, manager, and PHQ to ensure that she fulfills her mission.

Her uncanny ability to remain focused on the details while being mindful of the broader objectives has ensured that the staff and candidates of NCOLDP have everything they require to be successful during the training program. Her high level of organization, her ability to critically analyze situations and determine a course of action, and her masterful skills of pulling together many moving parts of an operation are invaluable.

 

Sonia at the 2005 Investiture where she received her Serving Member Award (L), and working at the Abbotsford Air Show (R)