11 minute read
Youth Section
from Vestnik 2022.04.25
by SPJST
SPJST Youth Section
The deadline for all Věstník items is 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month. Send your news and photos directly to: SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503 Fax: 254-773-8087 Email: vestnik@spjst.org Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo Questions? Call 800-727-7578
This section is dedicated to the youth of SPJST. As part of its membership benefits, SPJST offers a statewide youth program. If you or someone you know is interested in learning about opportunities offered to young members of SPJST, please contact your local lodge, District Youth Counselor (listed on page 2), State Fraternal Director at 800-727-7578, or visit www.spjst.org.
State Fraternal Director shares May youth news
Calling all SPJST Teen Members!
Last year, our numbers were down across the state at teen camp. SPJST’s teen members are an integral part of the youth program. I need each one of you, teens, to come to camp and later, I encourage our Leaders-in-Training (LITs) to attend district junior camp in July. I have heard through the grapevine how excited the younger campers are about camp this year and how they miss their LITs. With your help, you can make 2022 camp great for our young campers. Thanks, Youth Leaders!
A big thank you to our youth leaders. Our youth leader appreciation and workshop was a big success because of you. To our leaders who were unable to attend, we all missed you! Melanie, Tammy, and I express much gratitude to you, our leaders for everything you do. You can juggle your job, family, life, and the SPJST Youth Program. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Flag Day Contest
Youth are encouraged to enter an essay or poem for this year’s contest. We will have coloring pages for the younger youth. This year’s theme is “What Red, White, and Blue Means to Me!” The
Lodge 20, Granger Youth Club Supports Thornton elementary’s spelling bee
Lodge 20, Granger Youth Club donates pizza for Thornton Elementary School’s spelling bee. Youth Leader Brita Bohac teaches at this school, and Lodge 20 Youth Club rallied behind her students! winner will read their winning entry during their camp session at Camp Kubena. The deadline to enter will be May 31. Please email your entry to me at frankh@spjst.com.
Ready for Summer Camp?
Join us at Camp Kubena for some fun in the sun this summer! Youth are encouraged to register and attend SPJST Camp. We extend an invitation to youth club members, youth who are not part of a youth club, and all youth who are new to SPJST. If you would like more information about Camp Kubena, visit campkubena.com.
Qualifications for camp are:
SPJST Members • Youth enrolled in kindergarten through 11th grades as of 2021-2022 school year. • Attend seven youth club meetings (or adult meetings, in lodges without youth clubs) between January 2021 and May 2022. Youth earn camp credit for attending youth club meetings (or adult meetings, in lodges without youth clubs). • Youth leader (lodge secretary for adult meetings) provides sign-in sheet for verification of attendance.
Fee: Attended 0 meetings - $250 Attended 1 meeting - $210 Attended 2 meetings - $175 Attended 3 meetings - $140 Attended 4 meetings - $105 Attended 5 meetings - $70 Attended 6 meetings - $35 Attended 7 meetings - no charge
Non-Member Youths • Youth enrolled in kindergarten through 7th grade as of 2021-2022 school year • Fee: $350
This amount is reasonable compared to other Texas camps starting at $745 for a week of camp. Please contact me if you have any questions about attending SPJST Camp.
Dates for 2022 Camp Sessions
Leaders and parents, our camp sessions will begin on Thursday and end on Sunday morning. All qualifying campers and chaperones may choose either junior session. Junior Camp Session One
Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 10
Districts Two, Three, Four, Five
Junior Camp Session Two
Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 17
Districts One, Six, Seven
• All camp registrations will start at 2 p.m. and last one hour.
• Late registration must be coordinated with your District Youth Counselor.
2022 Camp Registration is Open
SPJST and Camp Kubena has rolled out the new camp registration link at spjst.org/camp. Please register your child(ren) for summer camp. We need to have a head count on the number of
Dear Readers,
Sunday, March 27, 2022, was a special day for me - I won the title of SPJST District Three Queen! Running for queen and standing on stage was a big moment for me because I have been preparing myself for this all of my life. I am so proud of District Three King Preston, Duke Luke, and Duchess June, who are also from my lodge. I am looking forward to attending upcoming events and am especially excited about seeing everyone at State YAD. Fraternally yours, Madison Holland District Three Queen Lodge 25, Ennis —SPJST—
Lodge 30, Taiton Youth Club Shares April Meeting Scenes
Sunday, April 10, 2022 • Submitted by Kirby Lange, Assistant Youth Leader
Lodge 30, Taiton youth places second in rock contest
Hey, Friends!
We had our April meeting on Sunday, April 10, 2022, along with our District Six Annual Meeting. I decorated a rock for the contest and placed second. It was a fun day, and we had two egg hunts so that was a great time. I had fun being with all my SPJST friends. Fraternally, Grady Lange, age 7 —SPJST—
youth attending; this will help us to know how many chaperones we will need. Thank you for your cooperation.
SPJST Camp Tee-Shirt Orders
Camp tee-shirts can be ordered online at spjst.org.
Decorated Rock Contest
Youth are encouraged to attend their district’s annual meeting to participate in the decorated rock contest. Please note change to the rock size for this year’s contest.
• Rock size needs to be 4 to 6 inches. • The winning rock in each grade category will be photographed by the DYC and emailed to the State Fraternal Director to be judged at the state level. • Youth will have the choice to keep the decorated rock or to donate it to the Camp Kubena Rock Garden. • Each grade category winner will receive a $25 gift card at the state level.
Meeting dates and times are: • District Two - Sunday, May 22
Lodge 24, Cyclone • District Five - Sunday, May 1
Lodge 196, Houston-West
Save the date! Cars & Guitars moved to October 29 at Camp Kubena
The Cars and Guitars event - which was originally scheduled to be held Saturday, April 2 at Camp Kubena - has been moved to Saturday, October 29. Planned activities include classic cars, music, food, arts/crafts vendors, kids’ activities, a disc golf tournament, and family fun. Camp Kubena is located at 2001 Waldeck Road in Ledbetter. Early Registration Available Online
The October 29 car show is open to all makes and models. Early registration is available online at campkubena.com. Spots are also available for farmers market, arts/crafts, service, and auto-related vendors. The cost is $40 for one 10-feet by 10-feet outdoor space. Vendors can register online at campkubena.com.
About Camp Kubena
Camp Kubena is a 182-acre conference and event center that offers camps and programs for schools and other groups throughout the year. Camp Kubena is also a venue for weddings, family events, and community activities.
District Youth Achievement Day District One - Sunday, July 10
Caldwell Civic Center District Two - Sunday, July 17
Lodge 47, Seaton District Four - Sunday, June 12
Venue TBA District Five - Saturday, July 16
Lodge 81, Needville District Six - Sunday, July 10
Taiton Community Center District Seven - Sunday, June 12
Lodge 202, Jourdanton hosting
The royalty speech topic – “My SPJST Family - What it Means to Me.”
State Youth Achievement Day
State YAD will be held at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center in Temple on Saturday, July 30.
Vestnik Project
The May Věstník Project focuses on the Colorado River Canoeing Program at Camp Kubena. You will learn about the history of the river and see some historic sites along the way.
Věstník Projects are accessible at spjst.org webpage under the Youth Program tab. Parents, your child will start receiving an email after their child or children has completed their project. This will help keep track of the projects completed. Fraternally, Frank Horak State Fraternal Director —SPJST—
Lodge 30, Taiton youth helps out with community egg hunt
Dear Readers,
Lodge 30, Taiton had our meeting on Sunday, April 10, 2022. We discussed upcoming events and talked about the day’s events in which we were having our District Six Annual Meeting and helping out with the Taiton Community Center Easter egg hunt. It was a full day of fun with our SPJST friends. It was good to see everyone at the district meeting and people from the community at the egg hunt. I decorated a rock for the contest, and it was fun. Fraternally, Grant Bubela, age 16 —SPJST—
Lodge 25, Ennis youth enjoys easter party
Dear Readers,
The Easter party was fun. I got to eat ice cream and cupcake. I played “big bad wolf” and “pin the tail on the bunny” and we had an Easter egg hunt. Kenley and I found a lot of candy (eggs). Kalynn Ryan age 8
Kalynn, right, is pictured with her sister Kenley.
Sunday, March 27, 2022 • Lodge 25, Ennis Hall
Lodge 25, Ennis hosted District Three Youth Achievement Day on Sunday, March 27, 2022. I am so proud of all of our youth this year especially because everyone participated in the talent portion of competition. You all did a great job! Congrats goes out to our winners who are going to State YAD and especially to our royalty - District Three Queen Madison Holland, King Preston Sullivan, Duke Luke Holland, and Duchess June Holland. Rita Holland, Youth Leader —SPJST—
LEFT PHOTO: Judges and audience enjoy the show. PHOTO 2: Lodge 25 senior group talent performs “Just Stop It.” They are, left to right, Madison Holland, Chad Jurik, Morgan Oliver, and Preston Sullivan. PHOTO 3: Lodge 25 President JoAnn Jones, left, welcomes the attendees. RIGHT PHOTO: Left to right, Jake Holland, Margaret Krajca, and Adell Rejcek are the front door greeters.
LEFT PHOTO: Judges meet for instructions. CENTER PHOTO: Misty Dvorak, left, sings the anthems, and Madison Holland, second from left, recites the SPJST Youth Motto. Also pictured are 2021 District Three Queen Macy Jones, second from right, and mistress of ceremonies CarrieAnn Jones of Lodge 154, Fort Worth. RIGHT PHOTO: The 2022-2023 District Three Royalty from Lodge 25, Ennis! Congratulations to, left to right, Duke Luke Holland, King Preston Sullivan, Queen Madison Holland, and Duchess June Holland.
LEFT PHOTO: Lodge 25 youth Layne Oliver performs her gymnastics individual talent. PHOTO 2: Tori Oliver recites a poem for individual talent. PHOTO 3: Morgan Oliver’s individual talent was performing a tune on her oboe. RIGHT PHOTO: Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club members who participated at District Three Youth Achievement Day.
Lodge 48, Beyersville youth club walks shelter dogs after April meeting
Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Submitted by Michelle Newsom, Youth Leader
Lodge 30, Taiton youth assists at annual meeting
Dear Vestnik Readers,
On Sunday, April 10, 2022, we had our District Six Annual Meeting at Taiton Hall. I participated in the rock contest, and I received third place. I also worked and sold tickets in our club raffle. It was a great day for food, friends, and fellowship! Sincerely, Bethany Baker, age 15 —SPJST—
Lodge 48, Beyersville youth club gives to taylor animal shelter
Lodge 48, Beyersville Youth Club challenged adult lodge members to match them in a donation to Texas Critter Crusaders which helps Taylor Animal Shelter cover medical expenses and supplies for the animals that come in. —Michelle Newsom Youth Leader/Reporter
Lodge 47, Seaton youth hopes to find seashells
Dear Vestnik Readers,
This weekend, I am going to Port Aransas. I will have fun. I will find seashells. The seashells I find are going to be for my friends in my class. We are going to be there over Easter. I hope we have Easter eggs. If we don’t, I will be sad.
I got an early birthday present today from my mom and dad. It is a sleeping bag I am going to use at Port Aransas. My birthday is coming up. It is really close. It is May 21. I am having fun in soccer.
Fraternally, Andrew Ordogne, age 6 —SPJST—
20. fun 19. inspiration 18. giving 17. special 16. perfume
15. wise 14. wonderful 13. kisses 12. chocolate 11. advice
10. sunday 9. mother 8. appreciate 7. love 6. family 5. memories 4. flowers 3. card 2. breakfast 1. bouquet
