Virginia Grand Assembly

By Kassie

Our Grand Assembly was good and we had lots of fun there.  Some of us were in the Cavalcade of Flags.  I carried the New Hampshire flag, because I was the Grand Representative to New Hampshire.  Ashley and Anna carried the flags of Missouri and Vermont, because those were their Grand Representative states.  The Grand Worthy and Grand Worthy Associate Advisors from Maryland, Pennsylvania and South Carolina were there.  Gia, who is Libbie’s friend from California, was also there.  Libbie’s theme was the sailboat and shark.  During the morning session, they played How Far I’ll Go, sung by Moana.  During the afternoon session the song was That’s My Girl, by Fifth Harmony.  I was excited to see some majority girls from my assembly, especially Rachel, the past Grand Worthy Advisor.  Ilana and Andi received their majority cards.  At the banquet we received our awards and found out who won the raffle prizes.  When it was time to announce the Grand Representative and Grand Officer positions we found out we had three Grand Representatives, two Grand Officers, one Flag Bearer, and one Grand Page from our assembly.  After the banquet we had a dance and it was fun.  In the morning, the new Grand Officers were installed.  Kensley, the new GWA, had her home Assembly do the ribbon ceremony, and introduced her family and friends.

Grand Assembly

On the weekend of June 29 to July 1st, Virginia had its 25th annual Grand Assembly at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. The girls who attended are myself, Katie, Sami, Gigi, Vanessa, Kate, Dalanie, Zoey, Isabella, Joella, Batu, Balu, Alyssa, Allison, Eliza, and Emma. I rode with Mom Jean, Zoey, Balu, and Batu. We left on Thursday, as we wanted to help with setting the assembly room beforehand, and all of us were either grand flag bearers or grand representatives, and we had practices the next day.

The sessions were long, and I was really shocked at how long they were. They were interesting, but at some points I wanted to go to sleep (mostly the night sessions) because I was tired. The ritualistic initiation was beautiful, and I thought all the girls that were participating did a fabulous job.

Manassas Assembly came home with a lot of awards. For the awards, the Assembly won Assembly of the year and the traveling gavel, which was amazing. We also had a lot of competition winners, Ella, Alyssa, won first place in the 11-14 competition, Kate won first in the 14-16 competitions, Katie won 2nd, and Vanessa won 3rd. In the Rose lecture, Katie won 2nd, and for the dad talk, Dalanie won 1st, I won 2nd, and Katie won 3rd. All the winners for the adult competitions were in our Assembly, including Mom Robin, Mom Priscilla, Mom Erin, Mom Jean, Dad Tom, Dad Clancy, and many more adults. Our assembly was the only one to participate in the baby dedication, Katie and Sami winning first place, Gigi and Dalanie winning 2nd. For the rodeo, our team, consisting of Katie, Sami, Vanessa, and Kate won 2nd. Jasmyn, Alyssa, Batu, M’Balu, Maribel, Isabella, Sami, Joella, Ella, Zoey, Gigi, Katie, Vanessa, and Dalanie all won the traveling award, and I won the Amanda Award, which was cool. I remember stumbling on my acceptance speech and trying to figure out what to say on the spot, and somewhat failing at it.

We also got a lot of grand appointments and came back with a lot of grand officers. Alyssa is now a grand flag bearer, Joella, Isabella, Maribel, Balu, Sami, Batu, and Allison are all grand representatives for the coming year. For grand officers, Vanessa, Kate, Dalanie, and Katie all got grand bow stations, Zoey got Grand Confidential Observer, and Gigi got Grand Associate Worthy Advisor! I am so proud of the assembly and what we have achieved! Assembly of the year is a huge deal!

After grand assembly, a bunch of us helped some of the adults put the assembly room stuff back in the storage. It was hot outside, and that slowed us down a little, but we got it all done. Afterwards, Mom Jean, Zoey, Balu, Batu and I all hopped back in the car, stopped for lunch at Dairy Queen, and then head back home. When I got home, I directly went to bed, because I was tired. Overall, Grand Assembly was fun, and I can’t wait to go back next year!

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Akshita

Manassas Assembly #13

Massachusetts Grand Assembly started Friday with introductions, after a Formal opening. Saturday morning had a memorial service by the Grand Officers that was ended by bagpipes. After that, was the elections for the new Grand Officers, then we retired for lunch.

 The afternoon session was laid back, and girls went into short skirts and those in the grand rep parade wore shorts. This reminded me of our grand banquet, but calmer and with no food. I was able to be a part of the parade, and though we didn’t win, I still had lots of fun.

Massachusetts was enjoyable, and I had fun just watching their Grand Assembly. 

Zoey

VA Grand Assembly 2018

I had a great time at the 2018  Grand Sail into Rainbow Session.  Not only did I get to be a Grand Representative to two jurisdictions, but I also got to participate in the Cavalcade of Flags.  The Grand Officers looked very elegant in their dresses and I liked their opening and closing marches.  Friday night was fun because I got to see all of my fellow Grand Representatives in their costumes so it was really interesting to see what they came up with from their jurisdictions.  After the costume parade was done I had to go back to my room to do homework.

The Saturday morning session was nice with the initiation and memorial service to watch.  The afternoon session was emotional with the baby dedication, majority service, Libbie’s closing speech and signing of the book of memories.  I got a little break after that to do my nails and get ready for the grand banquet.  This year the banquet was special for Manassas because so many girls and adults got awards and Gigi was announced as the Grand Worthy Associate Advisor – a first for Manassas Assembly.  I relaxed after the banquet so I would be awake for the installation Sunday morning.

Sunday morning the installation was exciting and it sounds like Kensley will have a fun and full year of events.  After the installation I got pictures, changed, and then headed home so I could do more homework.

Isabella