Youth Section

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.

Lodge 25, Ennis youth makes cookies for State YAD

Dear Readers,

I made chocolate chip cookies for State YAD. Everyone loved them. Fraternally yours, Garrett Wyatt, age 6 —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth surprised with ice cream treats

Just a couple days before State YAD, we gathered one last time to practice our group talent. Afterwards, our youth leaders Mrs. Lisa and Mrs.Kirby surprised us with treats from the ice cream truck! Just another reason why I love my SPJST family! Simone Riha, age 12 —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth: dream come true to be crowned District Queen

Dear Vestnik Readers,

SPJST District Six held its YAD on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Taiton Hall.

I worked very hard on trying to get everything ready for YAD. I also worked very hard on my speech for the queen’s contest.

The days passed by so fast for me. On that Sunday, I was chosen to be the queen to represent District Six. For me, it was like a dream come true! Thank you to everyone! I had a great time there with all of my SPJST friends. Fraternally, Brooke Bacak, age 15 State/District Six Queen —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth receives State Teen of the Year award

Dear Vestnik Readers,

On Saturday, July 30, 2022, I attended SPJST State YAD. I had the honor to present the flags at the beginning of the ceremony. I also received State Teen of the Year and third place in pictorial arts. It was so fun seeing all of my friends from across the state of Texas!

Sincerely, Bethany Baker, age 15 —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth wins awards at State YAD

Dear Vestnik Readers,

On Saturday, July 30, 2022, my family and I attended State YAD in Temple, Texas. I enjoyed socializing with my SPJST family and friends.

I participated at State YAD in group talent. My group talent from Lodge 30, Taiton line danced to the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” so I got to wear my cowboy hat. I really enjoyed the dance and performing on the big stage at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center.

I won first place on my crafts in 3rd to 5th grades on my hobby kit and pictorial arts where I drew a red Ferrari.

I am so proud of my big sister, Brooke Bacak, who was chosen to be the SPJST State Queen for 2022-2023 in the SPJST State Royalty Contest. Brett Bacak, age 11 —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton youth wins at State YAD

YAD (Youth Achievement Day) is a lot of fun. I like being able to compete with kids in my youth club and advancing to state to compete with kids from all over Texas. Watching the talent competition and getting to look at everyone’s items are my favorite. I placed second with my hobby kit at state, and I was so excited! Sydney Bilbrey, age 9 —SPJST—

Lodge 9, Snook Youth Club hosts informational booth during Snook isd “Meet the teacher”

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 • Snook ISD

LEFT PHOTO: 2022 SPJST State Duke Jase Hruska and District One Youth Counselor Hannah Kovar are pictured at the SPJST booth ready to welcome attendees. CENTER PHOTO: From left are 2022 State Duke Jase Hruska, 2022 State King J. Beaux Hruska, and 2021 State King Caleb See. RIGHT PHOTO: DYC Hannah Kovar, Lodge 9 Youth Leader Loree Lewis, and 2022 State King J. Beaux Hruska talk about the SPJST youth club.

District One Youth Swim Party

Sunday, August 7, 2022 • Caldwell, Texas

On Sunday, August 7, 2022, District One hosted a swim party and social at the Caldwell Pool. It was a great time with food and fun fellowship to celebrate the end of summer and back to school. Thank you to District One Director Mr. Donnie Victorick who grilled his famous and delicious hamburgers with all of the trimmings and yummy cookies. Thank you again, Mr. Donnie! It was a great gathering and a perfect way to end a busy summer. We wish all District One youth as well as SPJST youth across the state a wonderful school year! —Submitted by Holly Narro, Assistant District One Youth Counselor

Lodge 47, Seaton Youth Club sets Sept. 4 lunch

All are invited to SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton’s Grandparents Day lunch and fundraiser on Sunday, September 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seaton Star Hall. $5 donation for a plate of spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Please RSVP to Amber Bartek at 254-931-0295 or abartek002@yahoo.com. Seth Martinez, age 16 —SPJST—

Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club stuffs the bus with markers

Lodge 47, Seaton Youth Club share SPJST thoughts

Cherish what we have

My SPJST youth club is important to me because there is very little of us. There are only 25 members currently active in our youth club. Since there are so few of us, we have to cherish what little we have. —Kal-El Martinez, age 14

For its August charity, Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club members and families donated more than 200 packs of markers to help students in need in Burleson County as part of the Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive held on Monday, August 8, 2022. Way to go, youth club members and families . . . we made a difference!

—Holly Narro, Youth Leader —SPJST—

Camp, New People, New Things

SPJST means that I get to go to camp, meet new people, and try new things.

—Travis Ordogne, age 10 Camp is important

SPJST is important to me because I get to go to camp. —Tristan Martinez, age 8 YAD

I enjoy SPJST for the YAD, being a part of the youth club, and the cookoff. —Everhett Bartek, age 9

SPJST Lodge 25, Ennis Lemonade Stand Earns $300 to donate to “Love Your Neighbor Peanut Butter Drive”

Money, Camp, Fun

SPJST is important because of money. SPJST is important to me because of camp. It’s fun because your parents are not watching you, and you get to go swimming. —Andrew Ordogne, age 7

“Love Your Neighbor Peanut Butter Drive” was the charity that Lodge 25, Ennis selected for this quarter. The youth raised $300 from their lemonade stand and presented the money to First United Methodist Church who is the collecting site in Ennis. LEFT PHOTO: Pictured, left to right, are Rita, Luke, Amanda, Arlene, Clark, Beau, Hanna, Winnie, Margaret, and June. RIGHT PHOTO: From left, Rita, Beau, Miranda, Erica, and Winnie (in front) present $300 to FUMC Office Manager Linda Vineyard for the “Love Your Neighbor Peanut Butter Drive.” —Submitted by Rita Holland, Youth Leader Helping those in need, scholarships

SPJST youth club means leadership and helping out people that are in need. It also means having experiences that can be helpful and can also give scholarship opportunities. —Ian Ranly, age 16

Friendship

My youth club means friendship to me because I get to meet more and new friends. This will help me gain confidence while talking to and in front of people.

—Camdon Bartek, age 12

HEY, SPJST MEMBERS! HEY, SPJST MEMBERS! WE NEED YOUR HELP! WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Please help us revitalize the Youth Program.

SCAN SCAN ME ME Complete the survey at this link: spjst.org/youth-survey Deadline is August 31.

Youth club members will receive 2 merit points for completing the survey. Survey is open to all ages - youth and adults.

Friends

My SPJST lodge group means I get to see friends once a month. Now, I am a visitor at Lodge 47, Seaton. I enjoy every meeting once a month. I love helping my lodge when assistance is needed. Lodge 47, Seaton has been very loving and welcomed me and the rest of my family. I am very thankful we found this group. —Paetyn Beckendorf, age 13

Czech culture, charity projects

SPJST is a very important group to me that explains the Czech culture to members, and we help out the community by doing charity projects every month. We make sure the Czech traditions flow down to the younger generations.

—Seth Martinez, age 16

Leadership, public speaking

SPJST youth club means a lot because it teaches leadership and public speaking. Also when I go to college, the scholarships they give will help me pay for college. And, I get to interact with people and meet new people. —Carson Erskine, age 14

Running for queen

My SPJST. The SPJST youth club has helped me through a lot. When running for queen, my youth has been backing me and supporting me. Thank you to my home youth club of Lodge 182 and to Lodge 47 for everything they do. —Bailee Beckendorf, age 15 District Two Queen Including the youth

My SPJST youth club is very important to keep the youth updated and participating and also to keep youth included with SPJST. —Tynlee Beckendorf, age 10 Togetherness

This lodge means a lot to me because Lodge 24, Cyclone doesn’t have a youth group anymore. Lodge 47 let me come into their group. Thank you, Lodge 47! —Jennifer Hoelscher, age 15

Lodge 47, Seaton Youth Club learns by playing game with Vestniks

Thank you, Patsy Koslovsky, for allowing our youth club to borrow your Vestnik newspapers! Our youth club played a game with the Vestniks. We had challenges to see if youth knew what the Vestnik is all about and if they could find different parts of the Vestnik. We all agreed it is our SPJST newspaper, but we learned that Vestnik actually stands for “newspaper” in Czech. We were reminded of the importance of being proud of what we do in SPJST and what we do in our personal lives and sharing it with those that read. Keep writing! Amber Bartek, Youth Leader —SPJST—

LEFT PHOTO: From left, Seth Martinez, Carson Erskine, and Ian Ranly look through the Vestniks. RIGHT PHOTO: Writing Vestnik letters. In front are Everhett Bartek and Paetyn Beckendorf, and in back are Tynlee Beckendorf and Bailee Beckendorf. BELOW LEFT PHOTO: Tammy Martinez helps Tristan while Travis and Andrew Ordogne prepare to write their letters. BELOW RIGHT PHOTO: Jennifer Hoelscher and Kal-El Martinez.