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        For information contact: Carl Meiss, Public Relations Director  Ph: (717)-737-8855 or (800)-552-3865

Email: publicrelations@pagrange.org

July 8, 2008

Howard, PA - The coronation of a new Junior Princess and Prince is always the highlight of the annual PA State Junior Grange Camp.

 

 

On Friday, July 4, 2008, the PA State Junior Grange named Ashley Mohn as its new Princess and Robert Wike as Prince for 2008-2009.

 

Ashley Mohn is the 14 year-old daughter of Karen and Steve Mohn of Womelsdorf, Berks County.  She is a member of Marion Junior Grange #344 in Stouchsburg.  Ashley is going into the 9th grade at Conrad Weiser High School.  Her hobbies include showing her cows, reading, playing piano and spending time with friends and family.  Some of Ashley's activities include 4-H, FFA, Grange, Church and Junior Holstein Club.  She has held most of the available offices in Marion Junior Grange including President.

 

Robert Wike, also from Berks County, is 13 years old and is entering the 8th grade at Exeter Junior High School.  His parents are Thomas and Laura Wike of Birdsboro.  Robert is a member of Fleetwood Junior Grange #534 where he has held the offices of President and Assistant Steward.  Some of his hobbies are bowling, baseball, rifle shooting and camping.  His activities are varied and include hunting, choir, band and Boy Scouts.

 

Runners-up in this year's competition were Amanda Jane Burris and Zechariah Houser.  Amanda is the 15 year old daughter of Robert and Mary Jane Burris from Warren County.

 

She is entering the 10th grade at Tidioute Community Charter School and she is the current President of Watson Junior Grange #385.  Zechariah is the 14 year-old son of Ronald and Janet Houser of Bellefonte, Centre County.  Zech is a member of Logan Junior Grange #182 in Pleasant Gap and is entering the 9th grade at Bellefonte Area High School.

 

The PA State Junior Grange Royalty is chosen every year at Junior Grange Camp, held again this year at Camp Sylvan Hills Christian Camp in Howard, PA.  All 13 and 14 year-old campers (as of January 1, 2008) are eligible to run for the titles.  The finalists are selected from the results of a "Grange Knowledge" test given at camp.  The contestants are then evaluated on an individual interview before the judges, an impromptu question asked and answered in front of all the campers and staff and the judges' impressions of the campers. 

 

The Junior Grange Princess and Prince's responsibilities are to promote the Grange and especially the Junior Grange around the Commonwealth.  They will be required to attend  Ag Progress Days in State College in August, 2008, the 2008 PA State Grange Session to be held in October in Lancaster, the 2009 PA State Farm Show in Harrisburg, the PA State Grange Planning Meeting in Spring, 2009, and next year's PA State Junior Grange Camp, as well as other functions, fairs and events throughout the Commonwealth.

 

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of the American quality of life through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-23), Young Adults (ages 23-35) and Regular Community (local) members (age 14 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 14,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization of its kind in the United States.  The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 150,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.