GETTYSBURG (Adams Co.)
Fresno is the next - and final -
stop of a journey for three Penn
sylvania State Grange members
who won first-place honors at
the Mid-Atlantic Regional
Youth Conference here.
By winning the regional com
petitions, the three will travel to
compete at the National Grange
Convention this November in
California.
Mary Ann (Keith) Buckley,
Lincoln Grange #914, Hunting
don County, placed first in
public speaking in the 30 and
over age bracket. Jennifer Vis
cusi, Wesley Grange #1675,
Venango County, and Broock
Winger, Scrubgrass Junior
Grange #348, also in Venango
County, captured the group di
vision of the Sign-A-Song con
test.
Buckley, who resides in Hun
tingdon and is a State Grange
officer, presented a motivational
speech called “A Survival Kit
for Living.” In that kit were a
variety of items designed to
remind the owner about what is
precious in life. For example, a
tea bag symbolizes taking time
for yourself to relax and reju
venate. The other four are Her
shey kisses, a pencil, gum, and
toothpick.
“The tea bag is used last be
cause it represents the highest
level of importance to me,”
Buckley said, following the an
nouncement of the winners.
“This speech is designed to be
given as a short presentation
with five items or nine items
with an expanded text that runs
between 30 and 45 minutes. It
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State Grangers Win Regional Competitions
can even be used as a sermon
with the addition of Bible texts.”
Buckley, who works in the
marketing department at J.C.
Blair Memorial Hospital, will
seek her fourth win at the Na
tional Grange Convention. She
has previously won twice in the
14-19 bracket and the 20-29. A
win in Fresno would make a per
fect sweep of the three age
groups for Buckley, who would
like to purse a career as a
motivational speaker.
The Public Speaking and
Sign-A-Song are two events that
promote the activities of the
Grange’s Youth and Deaf Activ
ities departments. Those indi
viduals who win first in either
competition in their homes
states advance to the Mid-
Atlantic Region Youth Confer
ence. The Mid-Atlantic Region
encompasses six Grange states
in addition to Pennsylvania.
They are Delaware, Maryland,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio
and West Virginia.
Tenacity was the key to vic
tory for Viscusi, a manager at a
mall in Grove City, and Winger,
an Bth grade student at Franklin
Area Middle School. The song
they signed was “Love Makes a
Friend Be a Friend Like You”
by Sandi Patti.
“We worked hard for this,”
an elated Viscusi of Harrisville
RRI said. “And now we’re
going to California!”
The duo picked that song be
cause it worked well with two
people doing sign language. In
the song, not only do you hear
Patti’s voice, but a little girl
signs as well. The words sung by
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the girl were signed by Winger
of 512 Buffalo Street, Franklin.
The Deaf and Hard of Hear
ing Awareness Department is
the community service project of
the Pennsylvania State and Na
tional Granges. The Sign-A-
Song contest is one the
outreaches of the Grange Deaf
Activities Department, which
promotes sound hearing and
works to assist individuals,
schools and social agencies that
serve the deaf community.
The Public Speaking and Sign
Language judges said the com
petitions were exciting and en
lightening.
“I wasn’t sure about the qual
ity of work I would see, but I was
surprised and must say you all
did an outstanding job,” Sign-A-
Song judge Beth Ann Monn, a
doctoral candidate at Gallaudet
University, said. ’’There was
only an 11-point spread between
first and fourth place. That is
something that you need to
know and be proud about.”
Judge John Zinger said public
speaking is so difficult that it is
the number one fear for every
human being.
“This is especially true for
young people who are speaking
in front of their peers,” Zinger
said to the group shortly before
the winners were named. “The
Grange is about sharing and
trust, and that was demon
strated by these young people,
who got up in front of their peers
to speak without ridicule. My
hat is off to you for what the
Grange stands for and the ex
ceptional performances that we
saw here today.”
Grangers with their honors. From left, Mary Ann (Keith)
Buckley, Broock Winger, Jennifer Viscusi, and Chris
Straub.
The Youth Department ot the
State Grange is for members
ages 14-35. Youth members
attend annual retreats, a
summer camp and leadership
training seminars to prepare
them to be the leaders of tomor-
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05916
row. The youth program also
promotes fellowship and socials
that lead to friendships that last
a lifetime.
Chris Straub, Stony Point
Grange #1694, Mercer County,
finished second in the 20-29 age
group for public speaking.
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