Local designer takes the cake for Commander RCN challenge coin design

Michael McWhinnie, 
Public Affairs Advisor, NPTG

—

On Sept. 28, Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Angus Topshee announced HMCS Venture graphic designer Chantelle Klassen had won the first Commander Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) challenge coin contest.

On Oct. 6, Captain (Navy) Matthew Coates, Commander of Naval Personnel and Training Group (NPTG), celebrated Chantelle’s achievement in person and in the company of family, friends and colleagues.

Chantelle and guests gathered in the Nixon Building Conference Room, where Capt(N) Coates extolled the significance of her accomplishment.

“I want NPTG to be an organization that celebrates excellence,” he said. “It makes me very happy to be here today to do exactly that – to applaud Chantelle’s recent success.”

Capt(N) Coates presented Chantelle with one of his own Commander’s coins.

“Not only have you won a competition, you will have the satisfaction of knowing each time the Commander of the RCN recognizes the exceptional contributions of others, he will be doing so with a coin whose form originated in your imagination,” he said.

For a brief moment, the air was filled with confetti, the sound of clapping and cheers. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed sharing a custom cake created by Jennifer Kingston, a Financial Clerk at NPTG HQ. The cake featured an icing print of Chantelle’s coin design and the words ‘Bravo Zulu’ representing the traditional naval signal signifying a job well done.