On Saturday the 19th, we had our Lake Anna trip. Most of us met up at the Bealton McDonald’s and some of us got breakfast or snacks. Once everyone arrived, we drove to Lake Anna State Park so we could get there at 10am. We had two tents in the grassy area and two beach umbrellas on the beach area to sit. We swam in the lake, played Marco Polo, talked, and collected shells when we were in the water. For lunch we had lots of food (sandwiches, chicken nuggets, salad, pasta salad, potato salads, a veggie tray, a fruit tray, chips, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and drinks). While half of us were still eating, the other half played on the playground to pass the time until we could go back to the lake. Most of us left to go home around 2:30 pm.

Many girls were there: Gigi, Katie, Delaney, Zoey, Vanessa, Zoe, Joella, Sami, Akshita, M’Balu, Alyssa, Batu, Maribel, my friend Ella, and me.

The adults who were there: Dad Clancy, Dad Joe, Mom Priscilla, Mom Jean, Mom Nancy K., Mom Jeanette, Mom & Dad Ramesh, and my mom.

We even had two little brothers: Alyssa’s & Akshita’s. It was a very fun afternoon!

In Rainbow Love & Service,

Isabella

On August 12, Smithfield had their Installation of Officers.  Delaney is the new Worthy Advisor.  I was honored to be her Installing Chaplain for her Installation.  Delaney was crowned by Abby, and her gavel was presented by her parents.  Her theme for her term is “Where the Wild Things Are”.  Delaney’s motto is “This is all Yours.  You are the Owner of this World.”  Her mascot is a wolf that she named Max along with her symbols being crowns, sailboats, and leaves.  Her charity for the term is the American Diabetes Association.  Nearly 30 million people battle diabetes every day and every 23 seconds someone new is diagnosed.  Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. 

After the Installation, we had some dinner and stayed for a dance.  Smithfield’s Installation was beautifully done and I can’t wait to see Delaney throughout her term as Worthy Advisor.

On Sunday, August 7, 2017, Virginia Rainbow held our first statewide fun event. We visited The Brock Environmental Center, girls in attendance from Manassas were: Gigi, Katie, Dalanie, Zoey W, Joella, Sami, Isabella, Alyssa, and myself. We started with an introduction where we met our guides and then we each got a partner and had to introduce them to the whole group. After that we split into groups and each group had to answer questions or think of questions about The Center, after everyone had their answers each group presented what they had learned. Some cool things about The Center are that they have compost toilets, they recycle rainwater as drinking water, and that a lot of the materials used as floors came from a school. Next, we went to an area at the edge of the water where we saw some snails and a baby turtle. After that we played a game where a “bay saver” had to try to catch everyone. After that, we went seining, which is catching fish, crabs, and jellyfish. We caught same very cool jellyfish and some pretty big blue crabs. Finally, we ate lunch and headed home. It was a fun day!

In Rainbow Love and Service,
Zoe N

On Friday, August 11th, I went to New Jersey’s Grand Assembly. I went with Isabella, Mom Louisa, and my mom. We drove all day to get up to New Jersey, made a quick stop at our hotel to change into formals and get ready, and then drove another hour and a half to get to the Grand Assembly.

When we got there, we went to the Grand Officers Banquet first. Isabella and I were seated with the Grand Officers. They were all so nice and friendly, and they helped us feel a lot better about not knowing anyone. At the end of the Banquet, the Grand Worthy Advisor, Jenna Brink, was presented with some end-of-term gifts, including a homemade quilt and some scrapbooks about her year in office.

After our meal, we attended the opening session. Important guests were introduced, speeches were given, and I was allowed to speak about Olivia’s year as GWA of Virginia. The Grand Representatives also had a costume contest like we’re going to have this year. They each dressed up as a representation of their state, and some of them were really creative and impressive. I watched for the Grand Representative to Virginia, who was dressed as Harry Potter to go with Rachal Murray’s theme from last year.

To close the Session, they announced the Grand positions for the next year. Lydia Anderson-Dearborn was appointed as my counterpart, and Amy Wilkie was appointed as Grand Worthy Advisor. Lastly, they performed the Book of Memories ceremony, which was beautiful as always.

I really enjoyed New Jersey’s Grand Assembly, and I wish I could have stayed for the whole thing. I’m also looking forward to corresponding with Lydia for the next year and learning as much about New Jersey Rainbow as possible.

In Rainbow Love & Service,
Kate