Grand Worthy Advisor

Natalie Rickert
Grand Worthy Advisor 2022-2023

Hello! My name is Natalie Rickert. I am a member of Faith Assembly #150 and am honored to be Pennsylvania Rainbow’s Grand Worthy Advisor for 2022 to 2023.

Gather ‘round! It’s story time! Many on my mom’s side of the family are or have been involved with the Masonic family.  I am a third-generation Rainbow girl. My great grandma was in Eastern Star and had my nana and her sister join Rainbow. My mom then joined Rainbow. Later, my parents suggested Rainbow to my older sister, Stephanie. When she joined, I became involved in the Pledge program. I was a charter member of the Lilies of the Valley Pledge Group. I joined Rainbow a week after my 11^th birthday in January of 2013. Since joining, I have had the honor and privilege to serve Pennsylvania Rainbow as Grand Representative to Tennessee, Grand Love, Grand Fidelity, Grand Faith, and this past year as Grand Chaplain.

I currently am a student at California University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Early Childhood Education. My plan is to become an elementary school teacher after graduating.

One of the very first lessons we learn as a child is the importance of being kind to one another. One small act of kindness can completely change someone’s day. We often don’t realize how something so small can have such a big impact.

This year, our motto is “Kindness Changes Everything.” The mascot is teddy bears. If you are anything like me, you grew up having a million stuffed animals on your bed, specifically teddy bears. Teddy bears are often our first friend, and they are there when you need them. The colors are “Crayon Purple” and “Pencil Yellow.”

In addition to My Stuff Bags, this year’s charity is The American Society for Deaf Children. ASDC’s mission is to empower diverse families with deaf children and youth by embracing full access to language-rich environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks. This charity strives to support parents and families of children learning American Sign Language so they can communicate and connect with their child. As Grand Chaplain this past year, I chose to incorporate ASL into the Patton worship services. The American Society for Deaf Children is a great way for all of us to continue supporting those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

My symbols are smiley faces, school supplies, and letter blocks. When someone is kind to you or you complete an act of kindness, you are always left with a smile on your face. School supplies and letter blocks remind us that kindness is one of the building blocks of life. The song for the year is “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw. The flower is a yellow rose. The Bible verse is Colossians 3:12, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Without anyone, we would be unable to showcase how “Kindness Changes Everything.” To encourage membership this year, any girl who first line signs one petition or second line signs two petitions will receive a pencil holder filled with colored pencils. Girls who first line sign two or more petitions will receive a “Beary” Special Sister Magnet. The girl who signs the most petitions will be given a backpack filled with school supplies and different items related to our theme.

So many people have shown me how “Kindness Changes Everything” and helped me grow into the Rainbow Girl I am today. Here are my thank yous: To the Senior and Junior Grand Executives, thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead Pennsylvania Rainbow and supporting me on every step of my Rainbow journey.

To my assembly, you have shown me how “Kindness Changes Everything” from the very beginning—from watching me eat dinner without silverware at our Mystery Dinners, to helping me come out of my shell. Each of you girls have been there for me. I am very grateful to have such awesome people like you in my life.

In addition to my Assembly, the Advisory Board deserves a big thank you. Thank you for always listening to our ideas and being there for us.  Thank you for always believing in us and pushing us to do our best.

Thank you to my family and friends, for supporting me throughout everything. Some of you do not fully understand Rainbow, but you have always been there to encourage me. Thank you all for lifting me up and believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

A special shoutout to my parents, who have always done everything they could for me. Thank you to my mom for pushing me to get the most out of Rainbow and to my dad for driving me to every Rainbow event. Thank you to my sister, who has always been my best role model in Rainbow. Thank you to my brother for listening to all of us talk about Rainbow even though you are not involved with any Masonic organization yet. Of course, I can’t go without giving a special thank you to the furry member of my family, my dog Buttercup. She has given me emotional support whenever I needed it and brought so many smiles into my life. I love you all.

There are two members of my family who are no longer with us that I need to thank: my nana, and my great Gram. I never met my nana because she died before I was born, so Rainbow is the one gift my sister and I inherited from her. I am so glad she shared her love of Rainbow with my mom. Thank you to my Gram, who always supported me as much as she could. I know that she is here in spirit and smiling down on me from Heaven. Without her, I am not sure I would be standing in front of you all today.

Mrs. Snedden, you have been there to show everyone in Pennsylvania Rainbow how “Kindness Changes Everything.” I am looking forward to spending time with you and our many adventures this year.

Ashley, you were one of the first girls I became friends with when I joined Rainbow. We have been roommates so many times over the years at Patton. I truly value our friendship. You have been there to “Lend a Hand” to me and all of Pennsylvania Rainbow. You have done an awesome job this past year. I am more than honored to be following in your footsteps into the Grand East.

I am so excited to see how this year unfolds. Congratulations to the Grand Officers for our 2022 to 2023 term. I can’t wait to spend time with you all and to get to know you better.

To all of Pennsylvania Rainbow, you have been there through it all. I am so grateful to be in an organization filled with such amazing girls. Let’s continue to show each other how “Kindness Changes Everything” wherever we go and whenever we can. It can start with a kind thought, a kind word, or a kind deed. I am looking forward to sharing this journey with each of you!

Respectfully Submitted,
Natalie Rickert, Grand Worthy Advisor 2022-2023