Strumming Along Waving My Flag
By: Elise S., GEC, Grand Christian Flag Bearer and Rep. to Aruba/FL/TN, Infinity
My name is Elise S., and I am the 2022 GEC/Christian Flag Bearer and Representative to Aruba, Florida, and Tennessee! This is such a perfect office for me! I have loved giving the Christian Flag tribute, and have always felt the Christian Flag is a beautiful symbol of my faith. Not only is my faith really important to me, but my grandfather grew up in Tennessee, so I have a special connection there.
I am currently Worthy Associate Advisor of Infinity Assembly, and although we are a small assembly, we have lots of fun and enjoy activities with assemblies in our area. I have also served on the PR Team for several years and was co-lead of the PR Team last year. Working alongside Angellina M., PGE, and the other girls, and being mentored by the Grand Directors and the adult members of the PR Team has been an amazing experience. I have not only enjoyed serving CA IORG, but I’ve also made some amazing friends and learned so much about public relations and marketing. This has led me to a job as the Graphic Designer / PR and Social Media Manager for a small educational organization, and I’m so excited to put my new skills to use. It is proof that “Rainbow gets girls ready for life!”
Besides my active life in Rainbow, I enjoy spending time with my baby nephew, archery, swimming, doing Crossfit workouts, and rock climbing, especially with my siblings. We live close to many hiking trails, and not too far from the beach, so I’m learning to surf, and hiking is one of my favorite things to do with my family. Basically, I’m a California girl, so I love being active!
I am also on a speech and debate team and have enjoyed traveling for competitions. This year has been a mix of virtual and in-person tournaments, but it has been an amazing experience, and I’m excited to be able to go to Nationals in Tennessee. Since Tennessee is one of my representative states, I’m hoping to be able to contact one of the Rainbow assemblies in the area. Although I will graduate from high school in 2021, I will continue competing in debate in college next year.
There are a few things that seem to have always been a part of my family life: church, music, and Rainbow! And, I love them all! I am excited to be able to develop my love for all of these areas in my life in 2021. I will be attending Concordia University, Irvine, in the Fall, and will be an Entrepreneurial Ministry Leadership Major, with the goal of having a career in Youth Ministry.
As a third-generation Rainbow Girl, I’ve been going to Grand Assembly since I was a baby, and have competed in Talent Competition, Ritual Competition, Speech Competition, and served as a Grand Choir girl several times. I was honored to be part of the California Bow Team competition at Supreme Assembly 2020, as well as the Super Seven. I guess you could say I enjoy speaking and competing! In 2018, I had the honor of being Assistant to the Grand Musician, and traveling with my sister, Denise, who was Grand Choir Director and Rep. to OH/PA. This was one of the highlights of my time in Rainbow because I have always believed that your talent is God’s gift to you, and what you do with it is your gift back to God. It was so fun to be a part of the Music Team with Denise and Maritza P., 2018 Grand Musician and Rep. to NJ/NY, and to meet Rainbow Girls and adults all over the state!
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve California Rainbow in this Centennial year as Christian Flag Bearer and a member of the Grand Executive Committee, and to represent our state in Aruba, Florida, and Tennessee! It is such an honor to be one of the Milestone Making Meerkats! I cannot wait to make memories with Rainbow Girls around the state!
