Concord Rainbow Girls Recognized for Achievements

Concord Assembly No. 53 (www.concordrainbow.org), International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (Rainbow), is pleased to announce that several of its members received awards and recognition at the Grand Assembly sessions held in Plymouth, MA on June 28 and 29. 

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (www.GoRainbow.org) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20 that promotes self-esteem, leadership and community service.  Through meetings, ceremonies, service projects, and fun activities, girls make friends and learn leadership, public speaking, citizenship, and valuable lessons and skills to help them succeed in life and careers. 

Five of the Assembly’s members were installed as Grand Officers or Grand Representatives in the Grand Assembly of Massachusetts for the June 2013 to June 2014 year.  Katherine E. LaBarge of Maynard was elected as Grand Worthy Associate Advisor, the second highest office in the state.  Alison N. LaBarge of Maynard was appointed as Grand Patriotism and Erica R. Bowe of Bolton was appointed as Grand Choir Director.  All three Grand Officers are Past Worthy Advisors of Concord Assembly No. 53.  Nicole Conill of West Townsend was appointed as Grand Representative to Alaska and Ashley J. Tripp of Bolton, also a Past Worthy Advisor of Concord Assembly, was appointed as Grand Representative to New York.  As Grand Representatives, these young women will correspond with their counterparts and share information about Rainbow in other jurisdictions around the country and the world.  The Grand Officers and Grand Representatives will be participating in the new Grand Worthy Advisor’s service project to collect food to support the Greater Boston Food Bank and local food pantries.

“Each of these girls has developed leadership skills in our local Assembly, and they will now have the opportunity to apply those skills as they participate in Rainbow at the state level, said Mrs. Deborah A. Kenny, Mother Advisor of Concord Assembly No. 53.  “Being appointed as a Grand Officer or Grand Representative not only is important recognition for these young women, but also gives them the opportunity to travel, meet new people, and form friendships with members of other Assemblies across the state.”

Several girls also received awards and recognition for their accomplishments during the year.  Ashley Tripp received a scholarship from the Grand Assembly of Massachusetts. Erica Bowe was a finalist in the “Miss Service” competition, won a gold award for her “elevator speech” about Rainbow, and received awards for inviting five new members to join Rainbow and for visiting more than 20 meetings of other Assemblies in 2012.  Nicole Conill was recognized for her participation as the Assembly’s Rainbow magazine editor and for participating in the Grand Choir throughout the year.  Concord Assembly was recognized for increasing its total membership in 2012 and for participating in the Grand Worthy Advisor’s service project to collect games, toys, soda can tabs, and other items to support the Shriners Hospitals in Springfield and Boston.

“The Advisory Board and I are very proud of all of these girls,” said Kenny.  “They have all worked hard, and these awards recognize their achievements this year.”

The Assembly’s adult workers were also recognized for their continued support of the organization.  Mrs. Wilma E. Stone of Fitchburg, a Past Worthy Advisor and Past Mother Advisor of Concord Assembly, was appointed as a Grand Deputy, Mrs. Janice G. Sproul of Maynard, was appointed chairman of the state Scholarship Committee, and Mrs. Deborah A. Kenny of Lancaster, Concord Assembly’s Mother Advisor, was reappointed to the state Membership Committee.