On April 14^th, I went to the State Ritual Competitions for the first time.  I think Manassas Assembly had the most people competing this year.  I did the competition for my age group.  I don’t think I did too well this time, but that’s okay because it’s good practice for Supreme Assembly for me and I now know what to expect.  I did have a good time and when it wasn’t my time to compete we were doing each other’s hair and makeup as well as singing to Hamilton Musical songs with girls from not just our Assembly but other one’s as well.  In the dining area there were games, snacks and Libby’s pop up shop for tickets and her Grand Year merchandise. 

Overall, I had a good time and I really got to know Eliza, one of our Assembly’s newest members since she traveled with me and we were in the car for over three hours that day.  I didn’t get home until late and I have to thank Mom Joanne and Kate for bringing home my Sherlock Holmes book that I forgot in the dining area. I really love that book!

In Rainbow Love & Service,
Isabella
Manassas Assembly

January 27, 2018 

I arrived around 8pm on January 27th for the Snowcoming Dance held at the St. Tammany Lodge in Hampton, VA.  There were so many people there!  It was fun and there were several baskets that you could buy raffle tickets for to win.  The one I really wanted to win was the T-shirt that said, “I’m Mom J’s favorite” but Ella Pendleton won that one.  We danced and had lots of fun and the food that they had at concessions was good too.   Some moms even started to dance but that embarrassed Kate so she was seen hiding behind a tree. We danced until almost 10:30 pm when the lights came up and they were taking down the decorations.  Several Rainbow Girls were there from the Manassas Assembly #13: Katie, Kate, Delanie, Zoey, Vanessa, Mackenzie, M’Balu, Batu, Joella, Jazmyn, Sami, Gigi, and me along with our pledge Ella.  Many of our adults were there too and included:  Dad Clancy, Mom Priscilla, Mom Paula, Mom Ange, and Mom Robin, Mom Joanne, and Mom Louisa.

In Rainbow Love & Service,

Isabella C.

July 14, 2016:  Friday morning started out early because I went to early morning swim practice.  Then I came home, got ready and packed my bags.  We left our house about 10:30 am and went to get Zoe at her house and then to Nokesville Elementary School to get Alyssa.  We had a fun ride to Williamsburg and stopped by Starbucks along the way.  When we arrived, we had enough time to register before the Memorial Service practice started and then I went straight into the Grand Flag Bearer practice and the Cavalcade of Flags practice.  We had a break after that and took luggage to our rooms and then changed for dinner.  I was nervous for the opening since I was doing my Flag Bearer Tribute but everything went by quickly and the Grand Officers looked really nice in their opening march.  There were many introductions and we found out that Zoe Nash won the Rose Lecture and Dad Tom won the Lambskin Apron Lecture at ritual competitions.  After the opening session we got ready for the swim party, but it was canceled because of lightening; so I went back to my room for the night while others played games in the Assembly Room or ordered snacks at the hotel restaurant.  Some girls stayed up really late and worked on completing our Assembly Scrapbook so it could make the Saturday 9am deadline.

July 15, 2016:  Zoe and Mackenzie were our Saturday “wake-up call” since mom Joanne needed to fix Zoe’s dress for the morning session.  I had a Starbucks breakfast thanks to mom Joanne so I could get to the opening session on time.  Our Grand Officers along with Zoe and Dad Tom did a great job on their parts for initiation.  Our Assembly performed the Memorial Service which went well and the rest of the morning session was good and there were more introductions.  We took pictures and then had a break for lunch.  The afternoon session included the Cavalcade of Flags, more introductions, reports, and then it got emotional with the announcement of Olivia’s term, the Majority Service and the Book of Memories ceremony.  We had an afternoon break before the banquet and I was in the Jewelry room spending my mom’s money.  Then we got ready for the banquet and our Assembly won so many of the Ritual Competitions!  The new Grand Officers, Representatives, Flag Bearers and Pages were announced.  This year Manassas Assembly has 3 Grand Officers, 6 Grand Representatives, 5 Grand Flag Bearers and 1 Grand Page.  I was able to meet the counterpart for Nevada, one of my states that I was assigned to as a Grand Representative, and I was so excited to meet her.  After the banquet we quickly went upstairs to change our clothes to be ready for the dance, which was fun.  I didn’t get much sleep that night with all the excitement.

July 16, 2016:  Sunday was an early morning since we had to pack the car before going to the installation in the morning.  Everything was beautiful and based on the numbers given during the registration report this was the biggest Grand Assembly in Virginia yet.  Before leaving and getting lots of pictures I made sure to get all the necessary supplies:  T-shirts for the Grand Year, pins, a shark necklace, and Grand Directory.  At the end I was so tired, but I am inspired to do so much for VA Rainbow and Supreme 2018 for the next year!

In Rainbow, Love, and Service,

Isabella

On October 21, 2017, we met at Uptown Alley for Bowling.  There were so many people this year that Dad Joe Grist was very busy keeping track of everything.  Libby had her “store” so people could buy her merchandise while waiting for your turn to bowl.  I saw so many Rainbow sisters from across the State it was nice to get together and catch up.  The Rainbow group bowled until about 1pm and I’m not fond of bowling so I had my mom do it for me.  Once our lane was done with its games Mom Ange took Joella, MacKenzie, and me shopping in the mall while the other groups finished their games.  Manassas had a large group of people this time and the girls there included:  Gigi, Katie, Kate, Delanie, Zoey W., Vanessa, Zoe N., Joella, Maribel, Mackenzie, M’Balu, Batu, and me.  Parents there included:  Dad Clancy, Mom Priscilla, Dad Tom, Mom Cherry, Mom Jean, Mom Robin, Mom Ange, Mom Janette, Mom Paula, Mom Joanne, and Mom Louisa. 

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Isabella C.