By: Isabella Lynch, Past Grand Worthy Advisor
Hello California Rainbow! We cannot believe it’s already been five years since our time in The Enchanted Forest! The 2020 & 2021 Leading Lemurs have spent the past five years going down our own paths and following our dreams. We are glad to reunite and celebrate our reunion at Grand Assembly!
Here’s a little update about what the Leading Lemurs have been up to during the past five years!
I am overjoyed to share that I got married to my high school sweetheart in July of 2024! Evan and I traveled to Punta Cana for our honeymoon and we had a blast! We are hoping to travel again sometime soon. We enjoy hiking, eating sushi, hosting our friends at our little place in Bonsall and we’re just really grateful for all God is doing in our lives. Soon after our Grand Years came to a close in 2021, I began an awesome two year internship program to study the Bible and graduated from The School of Ministry in 2023 while simultaneously earning my Associate Degree in Communication Studies. I was then hired to work at my church as the High School Ministry’s Director and I absolutely love it! I have the amazing opportunity to encourage my students and their relationships with Jesus, teach God’s word, direct our student leadership team and plan super fun events, camps, and parties!!
Hannah Boatman, Grand Worthy Associate Advisor & Historian says “I am currently living in Santa Cruz while attending UCSC. I am double majoring in sociology and feminist studies and my expected graduation is June 2026!”
Caitlyn Dawson, Grand Faith and Rep to Australia & the Orient Pacific, says “I have been finding ways to connect with nature, and I have made it my new year resolution to take more time to connect with friends and loved ones.”
Morgan Kuhnle, Grand Treasurer, Honorary Drill Leader and Rep to Main and Massachusetts says, “I’ve been great! I’ve been super busy with work so I’m staying busy 🙂 I actually recently got promoted to branch manager of our company so I’m the youngest and the first woman in my position for the entire company! I have a new boyfriend from Ireland but other than that I’ve just been focusing on my health and trying to get back into my normal groove. I’m still healing from surgery so just taking it one day at time :)”
Beth Hawes, Grand Chaplin and Rep to Bolivia says “I graduated with a BA in Education and have spent the last 2 years teaching elementary! My brother just got married at the start of this year, and I am trying to spend more of my free time taking small adventures to beautiful places nearby”
Anna Liese Tschoepe, Grand Drill Leader and Rep to Arizona & New Mexico, says “ I graduated with my Masters in Taxation in 2023 and am working as a tax associate for high net worth individuals. I
recently moved to San Diego with friends from my masters program! I have been spending my weekends getting fresh air at the beach, doing yoga, and traveling!”
Amanda Milam, our Grand Love and Rep to Indiana & Kentucky, says “I am a supervisor at bath and body works and I have my AA in Social Science. I have gotten into word searches and recently Lego. I am an auntie for the first time!!”
From your naturally leading lemur, Sarah Blincoe, Grand Nature and Rep to Montana & North Dakota, ”I moved into my own little completely accessible apartment. That is the best and most exciting thing I’ve done since our grand years. I stay busy volunteering at a science museum and helping at community events when asked. I naturally like spending time outside cruising in my yellow wheelchair. Hugs to my lemurs.”
TaylorAnn Quick, Grand Fidelity and Rep to Alaska & Hawaii, says “I have finished all certifications, and I am now a licensed tax preparer. I have been trying to travel more and enjoy life! Still an extroverted introvert but working on myself to open up better.”
Darrion Kirkley, Grand Patriotism and Rep to Iowa & Missouri says “In October 2024 I welcomed my son into the world with open arms and nothing but love! I have continued to work as a Registered
Behavior Technician and upon returning back to work I received a promotion!”
Bailee Weiglein, Grand Service and Rep to South Carolina & Virginia says, “ I graduated in December with my BA in Elementary and Mild to Moderate Special Education. I began working on my MA in
Curriculum and Instruction right away. I’m looking forward to beginning my career in August!”
Amber Holloway, our Grand Confidential Observer and Rep to Kansas & Nebraska says “I just graduated with an AA in English and Liberal Arts, and I earned a dance specialist certificate. I’m currently in Florida working in the Disney college program.”
Rebekah Sperry, Grand Outer Observer and Rep to Oklahoma & Texas says “I graduated with my Bachelors of Animal Science and moved to Oklahoma where I now work as a Veterinary Assistant.”
Angellina McGill Grand Editor says “I’m graduating from Sacramento State in May 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing and a Minor in Fashion Merchandising and Management. I’ve
been interning with a local, small fashion business learning sewing and fashion event planning.”
Shalyn Miller, Grand Circulation Manager, Member of the Grand Executive Committee, California Flag Bearer and Rep to Michigan says “I’ve been teaching at a private Christian preschool for the last 2 years. I’m teaching 2-3 year olds all the fun things in the world and loving every bit of it. I am currently looking into moving out of state. Which comes with all the feelings of excitement, nervousness and excitement for new exploration.”
Rhiannon Corgan, Grand Color Bearer and Rep to Colorado & Nevada says “I have been busy working and attending college full time, continuing to work towards my Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Sciences at Fresno State. I’ve been working at a family-owned daycare for about a year now that I love! I work with a variety of ages of children there, ranging from 2-12 years old.”
Christian Weaver, Grand Rainbow Flag Bearer and Rep to Canada, New Hampshire & Vermont, says “I’ve been working for Starbucks for about 5 and half years. I’m currently taking classes online through Arizona State University, with the goal of being an autopsy tech in the future. I’ve started reading a lot more and I’m slowly amassing a book collection because of it.”
Jeida Lavender, Grand Christian Flag Bearer and Rep to Aruba, Florida, & Tennessee, says “I graduated with a BA in Studio Arts and have been trying to dedicate more time to making paintings.”
Alurea Radtke, Grand Lecturer and Rep to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, says, “I’ve just mostly been working on my art portfolio so I can start looking for a tattoo apprenticeship again. I have a very sweet boyfriend who supports me endlessly 🙂
Karen Marshall, State Mother Advisor, says “I’ve spent the last five years continuing to work with the Rainbow Girls in my area. In my personal life, I’m working toward retirement from my job in 2026 so I can spend my time with my husband Kevin and our dogs traveling and having fun creating things with all of my different hobbies!”
Steve McCrea, State Dad says that he and his wife Ginger “enjoyed our time with CA Rainbow and these past years have added to a wonderful experience with all. In June 2020, we gained two new grandchildren Henry and Hazel. In January 2022, we gained another grandson, Micah. We now have six grandchildren. In November of 2022 Ginger finally retired. We now have fun glamping and traveling to Cabo San Lucas on vacation and any local sites.”
Our Grand Service Project, The Painted Turtle has been continuing to do amazing work for children and families by providing incredible camp experiences for kids with life threatening medical conditions and it is still completely free of charge. In December of 2024, The Painted Turtle celebrated 20 years of camp and has served over 225,000 campers since it opened in 2004. Because of The Painted Turtle, campers are able to have the fun summer camp experience that every kid deserves and it is completely accessible and full of new experiences that bring laughter, joy and resilience. The Painted Turtle is continuing to make an effort to fundraise to ensure that camp remains free of charge and they have some creative events coming up like their Pickleball Tournament and the Bruin Run, Walk & Roll.
They say, “To the wonderful Order of Rainbow Girls Club: The Painted Turtle organization is truly appreciative of your partnership, purpose, and continued support. Your dedication to help make life
better for others is remarkable. Thank you for being such an awesome group. We were thrilled that we were picked to be your Grand Service Project, but what we could NEVER have imagined is how
successful you would be at raising funds to make sure that children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses could attend Camp! With your support we were able to continue to bring laughter and joy to hundreds of campers.”
Each of the Leading Lemurs has faced many hard challenges over the past five years but we have also experienced victories both big and small. Time has flown by but we are all still trying to believe in our dreams and are grateful to celebrate each other and the people we have become. Here’s to the next five years!
