The only army cadet in Newfoundland and Labrador to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal credits her foster family and strong community support with helping her to achieve that honour.

"This is definitely a positive thing that has happened to me in my life, being in foster care with the family that I have. I'm very lucky to be with them," said Tiffany Thistle-Samson.

Thistle-Samson, 17, was nominated by a member of the provincial army cadets for her community volunteer work. Aside from cadets, she helps raise money for the Children's Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House, participates in the Terry Fox walk and volunteers at events at the Royal Canadian Legion.

Joined cadets at age 12

She said finding out about the award was extra special because it happened on her foster father's birthday.

"It was overwhelming."

She said her foster mother, Tina Samson, encouraged her to join cadets when she was 12 year old. Since then, Thistle-Samson has risen through the ranks to become the senior environmental army cadet for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Samson said both she and her husband were proud of their foster daughter's achievement.

"You're talking about people, older people in the community that have spent so much time giving back to the community and here's our little 17-year old getting the same award," said Samson. "We're like, 'Oh my gosh. Wow. She's excelling.""

Social workers, community support key to success

Both Samson and her daughter said having support from competent social workers and others in the child welfare system was key to making their relationship work.

They've been following recent news stories about failures in the child welfare system, but said their experience was positive and very beneficial.

"The social worker builds a relationship with the birth family and they know the information that we need to help her have a good life," said Samson.

"You need the whole team, but the social worker is the one who keeps the team together and keeps you educated and keeps you up to par."

Time management skills

Thistle-Samson also credited a strong mentor within the cadet movement, Joan Green, with encouraging her to take on leadership roles.

With so much to do, the busy teenager said she had to develop time management skills in order to fit all her activities into her schedule.

"You definitely have to balance things out," said Thistle-Samson, "but you put aside some things and work on them later."

Thistle-Samson plans to study psychology at Memorial University and continue her involvement with the cadets, hoping to become a cadet officer when she turns 19.