On Saturday, we woke up and had breakfast downstairs with the rest of the state. We soon headed into the first meeting of the day and got to see Macie, a new member of our assembly, be initiated. It was beautiful and all of the Grand Officers did so well with their parts. At lunch we had some delicious salads before the afternoon sessions. There was a beautiful majority ceremony where many of our Rainbow sisters received their majority. We heard the closing remarks of Grand Worthy Advisor, Alyssa, and got to see the Bible ceremony. After the sessions some of the girls went to the craft activity and painted wooden cut outs. Then we all got dressed for the formal banquet.

The banquet was very nice, with little favors from our GWA. Dinner was very delicious and many announcements were made. We found out who won the raffle baskets, ritual awards were announced and so was Assembly of the Year. Norfolk took home three ritual awards. Grand appointments were announced and 3 members of our assembly are Grand Flag Bearers, 4 are Grand Representatives, 2 are Grand Officers, and 1 is on the JGEB. It was very exciting and Emily from Manassas was announced as our Grand Worthy Associate Advisor!! Congratulations to everybody!! The dance afterward was so much fun and there was plenty of line dancing.

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Becca W.

               Hello! On July 14^th through the 16^th of 2023, I got to attend South Carolina’s “Remember These Moments” Grand Assembly. This was my second year attending their Grand, and to say I was excited would be an understatement. I rode with Mom Kelly, Sam, and Dad Joe to South Carolina, so you can imagine how fun the ride down was. We listened to a LOT of Taylor Swift.

On Friday, we made it just in time for lunch and the afternoon session. During lunch, I got to see some of the amazing girls I met at the last grand and people from out of state. The afternoon session was good. We got to hear from the representatives and dignitaries before we had majority service. Everyone’s speeches were beautiful. We also found out that Ella, Sam, and I were going to be speaking during the session. Which, if anyone went to the Grand Officer Training Day, Kaitlyn Reed taught us how to speak on the fly, so that lesson definitely came in handy. They also have elections for the new GWAA during session, instead of Banquet. Congratulations to Annabelle G. on becoming this year’s GWAA of South Carolina!

On Saturday, there was only an evening session which was “Book of Memories”. So, we had a bit of time to relax, play games, and hang out with the other girls. Of course, we had to make a Target run to get some fun card games to play in the rooms. We even played Uno with the South Carolina and North Carolina girls at the lodge. Dad Joe joined in, but we made sure to give him a hard time with our Uno skip cards. (Sorry Dad Joe) We then had the evening session which was “Book of Memories”. That’s when the Grand Worthy Advisor, Bethany, shared her final speech and her appreciation towards her assembly and all of those who supported her. We then had banquet, which is somewhat like ours, where we find out the rest of the grand appointments. The new grand rep to Virginia is Anna J! She is so sweet, and I know we will see her around more often.

On Sunday, we had the Installation of Officers. Congratulations to Ashley L. on a beautiful installation and on becoming Grand Worthy Advisor! I know that this upcoming year is going to be amazing for South Carolina Rainbow. I am so excited to see what she has planned. All of the girls did a beautiful job this past weekend. I am happy to call South Carolina Rainbow family.

Over this past weekend, I have made so many amazing memories. Everyone was so welcoming to us, and that’s always something we need. I can’t wait to attend more of South Carolina’s events. Ashley and Annabelle are both going to do an incredible job. I am excited to see what’s next to come. South Carolina will always be a second home to Virginia Rainbow.

                                                                                                         In Rainbow Love and Service,

                                                                                                                                                        Noelle F. Richmond #10

Hello there!  Today I will be telling you about South Carolina’s Grand Assembly.

I started off from my grandparents house driving to Richmond to pick up Noelle.  After we picked up Noelle, we drove another eight hours to South Carolina’s Grand. This year, South Carolina was having their Grand Assembly in Columbia. In the car, Noelle and I watched some shows and played some games.

When we finally arrived, we changed in the car and went straight to dinner at the Lodge. We had chicken wings and rolls for dinner.  After they were done serving dinner, the Grand Representatives went around the dinner room and showed off the arrows they made for the term. On the arrows were symbols and the name of their jurisdiction they were corresponding to. Afterward, Mom Dedra announced that they didn’t have enough new initiates to dump a bucket of ice on her head. However, there was still a lot of initiates, so she let some first line signers spray her all over with silly string. It was really funny.

After that, we went back to our hotel room. In the hotel room, we realized it’s not a grand assembly without a late night snack run. So me, Mom Christi, Kaitlyn, and Noelle drove to Walmart to pick up some snacks. We bought so many. That night, we played a game we bought and chilled.

The next day we woke up early to go to breakfast with my grandparents. After breakfast, there was not any sessions that we had to go to so we went to the zoo. At the zoo, we visited many animals such as lions, tigers, and rhinos. After our long adventure at the zoo, we went to the gift shop  where Noelle and I got matching necklaces. Our necklaces both had two baby turtles on them.

After the zoo, we headed back to the Lodge to eat lunch. After our delicious lunch, we headed down to the assembly room to get started on the first session.  The assembly room was kind of like a theater so you could see the stage from up above. One of the things that we did at the first session was initiation. After that session, we went to dinner and then went to another session.

After that long day, we went back to the hotel room and ate our mac & cheese and ramen. The next morning, we went to go eat breakfast and then went to a session. Next thing that we did was having lunch at the Lodge.  After lunch, we took a break in the hotel room, and we took some naps. Alyssa and I went over to the talent show what they were having, and Alyssa judged while I watched. I hung out with some other Virginia Rainbow girls and did the trivia that they included. After that, we got ready and headed to the banquet.

At the banquet, they did the same type of things that Virginia does in announcing the new officers.  However, in South Carolina you don’t apply for the office…. you just get awarded it. At the banquet, they had some delicious ham and mac & cheese, and they had one of the best cheesecakes I’ve ever had.

After finishing all of their work for the year we went to the hotel room and went to bed knowing there was a long day ahead tomorrow. The next day, most of the Virginia Rainbow girls left but Noelle and I stayed for the installation that was beautifully done. After the installation, we headed home knowing there were eight hours ahead. Overall, I can say South Carolina was a very fun Grand Assembly!

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Ella, Ashburn Assembly #11

On March 19^th I attended Maryland’s Grand Assembly for 2022.

Earlier that day I rode up to Maryland with some of my favorite people such as Mom Erin, Kaitlyn, and Mom Christi. When we got to Maryland, we changed right away and went to the first session. In the first session on Saturday, they did baby dedication, memorial service, and speeches. Some people who did the speeches from VA were Kaitlyn, Mom J, And Jasmine. Once the session was over, we changed and went to California Pizza Kitchen. At California Pizza Kitchen, I got a very yummy pizza. After we ate, we went shopping to places like Dick’s and Marshall’s. After we shopped, we went back to the room to change so we could go to the banquet. At the banquet we had food at a buffet, and the Maryland girls did a skit for the incoming GWA. After the banquet we headed to the installation. A lot of amazing girls got installed. After the installation we went back to the room, changed, and went home. It was very fun to visit a different jurisdiction.