Gail Switzer of Pennsylvania and
Jacob Embree of Oregon were selected
as the 2009 Youth Mentors at
the 142nd National Grange Session.
Switzer is a member of Marion
Grange #1853. The daughter of Marie
and the late Leonard Switzer, she
has been active in the Grange starting
with her years as a Junior Grange
member.
As a Junior Granger, she held several
offices and now in her subordinate
Grange she has taken on the office
of Lady Assistant Steward. She was
the 2006 Pennsylvania State Junior
Grange Princess. As an ambassador,
she strived to actively promote the
organization. She also earned two
achievement pins for completing all
levels in the Oliver Hudson Kelly and
Caroline Hall Achievement Award
Programs.
Switzer is a senior at Conrad Weiser
High School. Outside of Grange she
is active in her 4-H Dairy Club, dairy
beef club and FFA chapter. She also
serves as a county dairy princess
and at last month’s state competition
was selected as a top seven finalist.
She is also actively involved with Relay
for Life.
In promoting the Grange, she believes
in educating people about what
is Grange. This past year, at her the
Berks County “cookery” at the Reading
Fair she made table tents promoting
Grange. She also continues to
encourage her friends to join.
Jacob Embree of Silverton, OR. will
join Switzer as part of the mentor
team. He was the Oregon State Male
Youth Ambassador. The son of Randi
and Aaron Embree, he is a graduate
of Wellpinit High School. He is now
employed at Marion Estates and just
completed a CAN certification program
as he prepares for a career in
nursing.
He is a member of the Oregon State
Grange youth committee and assistant
steward at Macleay Grange #293. He
also maintains a membership at Silverton
Grange. His Grange is noted for
hosting several fun nights and other
activities. Jacob has helped organize
several including a paintball party.
When looking to recruit new members,
Jacob said it is important to
remain involved in Grange activities.
Many visitors, he said, are impressed
when a bright young person is involved
with our organization.
Also competing in the contest were
state youth ambassadors Winslow
Dixon and Cody Stevens of North Carolina,
Tiffany Paul and Carson Yost of
Ohio and Qiana Helm of Oregon.
The Ambassadors were evaluated by
a panel of judges and evaluated on
their leadership, teamwork, ambassadorship
and Grange knowledge.
As Mentors, Switzer and Embree
will assist the National Grange Youth
Department in organizing next year’s
National Grange Session Youth Days
and promoting Grange youth programming. |
