The 2005 PA State Junior Grange Camp culminated this past Friday with the 2005-2006 Junior Grange Princess and Prince being named.  Gail Switzer of Berks County was named Junior Princess and Zachary Snyder of Warren County was selected as Junior Prince.

2005-2006 PA State Junior Grange Princess Gail Switzer (left) and Prince Zachary Snyder

This year’s Junior Grange Camp was held at Camp Sylvan Hills in Centre County from July 3 through July 9.  After a week under the watchful eyes of three judges (Tim and Missie Waite from Walker Grange #786 in Juniata County and Carol Kallenberger from Shermanata Grange #1796 in Perry County), testing their knowledge of Grange Rituals, personal interviews and impromptu questions, Gail and Zachary joined the PA State Grange Young Couple, Matt and Charlene Espenshade and the PA State Grange Youth Ambassadors, Brittany Schaeffer and Philip Vonada as part of the PA State Grange Royalty for the upcoming year.

Gail is the 14 year old daughter of Leonard and Marie Switzer.  She is presently the Master (President) of Marion Junior Grange #344 in Stouchsburg, Berks County.  Gail will be a 9^th grader at Conrad Weiser High School where she is involved in FFA, Chorus, Band, Two 4-H Clubs, Soccer, Basketball and the Musical.  She enjoys singing, reading playing sports and “being with my friends.”

Zachary is 13 years old and his parents are Mimzie Johnson and Peter Snyder.  Zach holds the office of Steward at Watson Junior Grange #385 in Warren County.  He is going into the 8^th grade at Beaty Warren Middle School where he is the President of the Warren Area Student Union, and a member of the Art Club and Youth Volunteer Corps.  He likes acting, bowling, art and basketball.

(pictured left to right): Junior Grange Runner-up Princess Elizabeth Hoff, Princess Gail Switzer, Prince Zachary Snyder and Runner-up Prince Jesse Pitts 

Elizabeth Hoff from Washington Grange in York County was the Runner-Up Junior Princess and Jesse Pitts from Big Beaver Grange in Lawrence County was the Runner-Up Junior Prince.  Other members of this year’s Court were Cameron Downey from Lycoming County, Sierra Hollabaugh of Warren County, Stephanie Nelson from Warren County, Corey Pitts from Lawrence County, Michelle VanTassel of Lawrence County, and Matt Werley from Berks County.

The PA State Junior Grange Prince and Princess represent the Junior Grangers throughout the year at various functions including the PA State Farm Show, Ag Progress Days, the Annual PA State Grange Family Festival and PA State Grange Session.

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-24), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (Local) members (age 14 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural and rural organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.