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

Email: publicrelations@pagrange.org

November 19, 2008

 

CROMWELL, Conn. – Gail Switzer of Pennsylvania and Jacob Embree of Oregon were selected as the 2009 Youth Mentors at the 142^nd National Grange Session on Friday night.

 

Gail Switzer

 

Switzer is a member of Marion Grange #1853 in Berks County. The daughter of Marie and the late Leonard Switzer, Gail 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 the Grange is and does.  This past year, at 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, Ore. 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 activities, 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.

 

Also representing Pennsylvania at the recent National Grange Convention were Andrew Kieffer from Berks County and Jennifer Nauss from Cumberland County.  Andrew served as the Assistant Stewart and Drill Captain, while Jennifer was the Pianist for the National Grange Youth Officer Team.