5 Year Rainbow Reunion

The Legendary Llams of 2004

Growing up I was in a non-profit, service organization called The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. I joined when I was 11 and was extremely involved until I was about 19. The organization helps young girls with etiquette, walking, speech writing, public speaking (memorized), being a leader, and fundraising for charities. I held many different offices, but the highest was as a Grand Officer for the state of California. Now, when you are appointed you have NO idea if you are getting an office or what office you are going to get. The new state officers are announced every year at Grand Assembly at the Fresno Convention Center. This is when all California Rainbow girls meet for about 4-5 days. Every year the new officers are appointed by the a new mascot is announced and then they become a 'grand family'. They travel all over California and other states and countries together. Out of maybe 1,100 girls there are only 40ish grand officers. In the Rainbow world it is a huge honor to be chosen.

I was chosen as the Grand Representative to Washington/Idaho/Australia and the Orient Pacific. Now, the funny part is that I had just started dating Brian who was living in Washington at the time. As the representative I had to travel a bunch of times to Washington which was very convenient. Maybe that helped Brian and my long distance relationship grow into a serious one. I was also able to go to Australia for a couple weeks to meet with the Rainbow girls there.

Well, Grand Assembly was this last weekend, and it was my 5 year Reunion. Our mascot was the Llamas and we were called The Legendary Llamas. It was so much fun seeing all my friends again. Especially Melissa (Grand Representative to Alaska/Hawaii)! We were attached by the hip the entire year. She came to Australia with me and I went to Hawaii with her. We traveled up and down California in my beetle and had the best time. At the reunion dinner it was just like old times. I NEVER stop laughing.

My Mom and Savannah went with me, and had an awesome time. We drove up and stayed over night in a hotel. We were only there for one session and the reunion dinner (about a 30 hour trip from beginning to end). Savannah was able to take a bath at in the sink at the hotel... she doesn't look too happy, but I know she liked it.

Here are some pictures, but a warning for those who do not know anything about Rainbow... you will think it looks really weird.

This is Alison, the girl who took my office the year after me. People who had the same Grand Office as you in a different year is called a 'Grandie'.

All of the blue dresses are from my year, and yes... we wear hoop dresses. As you walk it should look as if you are floating... if you do it right... it takes some training and practice. Each year the dresses are a different color and style. This is a way to recognize each year when they come back. My dress was WAY to big for me, so I just wore a plain white dress, but with our hoodies.

These are my 'Grandies'. We all had the same office, just different years. All the hoop dresses were their Grand Office Dresses.