Members Attend Grand Session in Fremont

Contributor: 
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Members of Bethel #8 and adults traveled to Fremont, Nebraska, June 25th to 28th to attend the "It Takes A Spark" Grand Session.  Brette D., PHQ, served as Grand Bethel 4th Messenger while Maggie J., PHQ, completed her year as Grand Bethel Representative to Virginia 1-37 & Paraiba.  Emily J. and Shelby P. served as Pro Tem Grand Bethel Representatives for the session.  Kylie W. assisted as Grand Bethel Flag Bearer and Diana C. and Ashlee B. sang in the Grand Bethel Choir.

Members in attendance were (back row):  Dacia H. and Vickie H. -- (second row):  Shelby P., Jamie T., Sammi J., Ashlee B., Diana C. and Caitlyn L. -- (front row):  Brette D., Kylie W., Emily J., Maggie J.

Wednesday was busy with practices and ritual competitions and everyone relaxed Wednesday evening while some of our members attended fun activities and others went shopping.

During Grand Formal Opening on Thursday evening Grand Bethel Officers conferred the Lily of the Valley Award.  Bethel #8's Kylie W. was one of this year's recipients. 

Kylie W. poses with her mother and Grand Guide, Mary W. after receiving her Lily of the Valley Award

Honored Queen Kylie W., Junior Princess Vickie H., and Senior Princess Emily J. pose with Grand Bethel Associate Guardian Ivan Vrtriska before Grand Formal Opening begins.	Member of the Grand Bethel Choir Ashlee B. waits patiently for the Grand Formal Opening to begin.

Grand Bethel Choir Member Diana C (left) has some fun Jobie time with Kuulei (Bethel #2) before Grand Formal Opening.	Grand Bethel 4th Messenger Brette D. (2nd girl from right) participates in the Grand Formal Opening ceremonies.

On Friday the members attended the Grand Bethel business meeting while adults attended the Grand Council business meeting.  A break for the adults was taken during the morning to permit them to attend the drawing of the new Grand Bethel Officers and Representatives.  Outgoing Grand Bethel 4th Messenger Brette D. escorted newly selected Grand Bethel 4th Messenger Emily J. to meet the Grand Guardian-elect and Associate Grand Guardian-elect in the east.  Also selected were Shelby P. as Nebraska's Grand Bethel Representative to California 65-148 and North Carolina and Diana C. as Nebraska's Grand Bethel Representative to Pennsylvania and Minas Gerais 22-36.  In the afternoon Bethel #8's guardian, Mary W. was elected to the position of Vice Grand Guardian.  Friday evening Vickie Hartman was selected as a Spirit Ambassador.

Saturday culminated in the Installation of new officers and representatives and the beginning of a new Grand year as everyone enjoyed a scottish twist to the morning.  Newly installed Grand Guardian Penny A. and Associate Grand Guardina Tom G. introduced their theme for the year "Hiking Through the Highlands" complete with kilts, tartan plaids and bagpipes.