The National Grange, founded in 1867, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan fraternal organization that advocates for rural America and agriculture. The Grange is part of more than 2,100 hometowns across the United States. The Thurmont Grange serves our Catoctin region. One of the programs administered annually by the Grange is Words for Thirds, where every third-grade student in the local area is given a dictionary to keep.

Thurmont Elementary School

Pictured from left are: (back row) Russell Moser, Sidney Moser, Rodman Myers, Third Grade Teacher Connie Reynolds, Jody Eyler, Sue Keilholtz, and Carol Long; (front row) Aaron Mosiychuk, Chloe Glass, Chloe Shultz, Braelynn Keilholtz, and Ayden Merritt.

Emmitsburg Elementary School

Pictured from left are: (back row) Thurmont Grange volunteers, Paulette Mathias, Carolyn Wiles, Cliff Stewart, Sue Keilgoltz, and Bob Wiles; (front row) Leah French, Addison Tingler, Colt Atwell, and Cole Merriman.

Sabillasville Elementary School

Pictured from left are: (back row) Becky and Jim Royer, Third Grade Teacher Marnie Tootill-Mortenson, Principal Kate Krietz, SES and Thurmont Grange Secretary Jane Savage; (front row) Grayson Lawler, Josie Harbaugh, Avery Harbaugh, Brynn Eyler, Hope Rice, and Noah Bradbury.

Lewistown Elementary School

Lewistown Elementary School students in classes of Ms. Jozwiak and Ms. Graybill (third grade teachers) and Ms. Acevedo (EL Teacher) are presented dictionaries by Cheryl Lenhart on November 19 during American Education Week.