May 2016 – Hermann SonS newS – Page 13
www.hermannsons.org
Youth in Action
Zane Ethan Gray
William G. Voigt
Rees Edwin Saathoff
Amanda Nicole Miller
Trey Balzen
Retirement Home awards scholarships to five seniors COMFORT – Five members of Hermann Sons have been chosen to receive this year’s Hermann Sons Retirement Home Scholarships. This year’s recipients are Zane Gray, a member of Cibolo Lodge No. 147; William G. Voigt, a member of Richland Lodge No. 107; Rees Edwin Saathoff, a member of Hondo Lodge No. 236; Amanda Nicole Miller, a member of Jourdanton Lodge No. 310; and Trey Balzen, a member of Mission-Alamo Lodge No. 80. The recipients were chosen by a group of volunteer educators from Comfort High School. The judges complimented the students on the quality of their essays and said selecting the winners was hard. There were eight applications from Region 1, three from Region 2, seven from Region 3; 14 from Region 4; and three from Region 5. The applications were judged on neatness, grammar, spelling and structure of the 300-word essay “What Hermann Sons means to me.” Zane Ethan Gray is the son of John and Gail Gray of Universal City. Zane is graduating from Samuel Clemens High School and plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio where he will study electrical engineering. Zane also received one of the Hermann Sons Youth Camp-Shannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarships this year. He attended Hermann Sons
Youth Camp for five years as a camper, two years as a counselor-in-training and last year worked as a junior counselor. In his essay, Zane wrote, “Hermann Sons has been a big part of my life. In fact, I am a fifth generation Hermann Sons member. I have been attending Cibolo Lodge meetings since I was in a baby carrier. “As a camper, HSYC taught me many life skills. I learned how to listen, laugh and bond with people I hadn’t met before. Getting to be a counselor-intraining and junior counselor allowed me the opportunity to become a leader, role model and individual that taught other kids life skills, how to work through challenges and how to live life happy. “I am thankful that my family knows the importance of life insurance and chose to share the Hermann Sons legacy with me so that I am able to experience all of Hermann Sons’ fraternal benefits. I will hopefully be able to share this great Hermann Sons legacy with my kids because all of my Hermann Sons experiences have helped shape me into the person I am today.” William G. Voigt is the son of Wendel and Lynne’ Voigt of Pflugerville. He is graduating from Pflugerville High School and plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station where he will study aerospace engineering. He credits his rocketry class at Hermann Sons Youth Camp with inspir-
ing his love of rockets and the space industry. William attended HSYC for five years. In his essay, William wrote, “HSYC helped me to positively embrace new situations without fear. Being a Hermann Sons camper has helped to shape the person I am today. In a way, the Camp experience has prepared me for my upcoming transition to college at Texas A&M University. The supportive HSYC counselors cared about every camper. “As well as experiencing community, camaraderie and compassion, HSYC reinforced the important principles of honesty, integrity and respect. We respected our dorms, each other and our counselors. I truly believe that if every youth attended Hermann Sons Youth Camp, they would have stronger virtues and principles to draw upon. I count myself very fortunate to have been a five-year camper at HSYC. As I continue to grow, I will always stay true to the virtues and principles that are so very important and present at HSYC. Attending HSYC made a positive, lifelong impression and for that I thank Hermann Sons.” Rees Edwin Saathoff is the son of Cornell and Eleanor Saathoff of Hondo. He is graduating from Hondo High School and will attend the University of Texas at Austin where he will study mechanical engineering.
He attended Hermann Sons Youth Camp for four years. In his essay, Rees wrote, “True community begins at home yet reaches out so much further in my small town of Hondo. Growing up in my tight-knit community has given me so much more than just love and support. It is here that trials and successes are shared. It is here where you find the willingness to step in and lend a hand and it is here where I was introduced to Hermann Sons and all that it embraces. “Nothing in this world beats the secure feeling of belonging which is what I found from my Hermann Sons experiences. Whether it was an actionpacked week at Camp shared with my buddies or a crisp fall night enjoying the annual lodge barbecue meal, the feeling that always springs forth is community and that incredible sense of belonging. “The solid foundation I was afforded through Hermann Sons has given me a strong moral compass to follow and emulate. As I prepare to enter the University of Texas at Austin I take with me necessary life skills acquired through my Hermann Sons community and the discipline needed to navigate the road ahead. I am thankful and humbled to be a part of this organization and I hope to embody the integrity it represents for years to come.” Amanda Nicole Miller is the daughter of Karen Miller of Pleasanton. She is graduating
from Pleasanton High School and will attend Texas A&M University in College Station where she will major in business administration. She took part in the Hermann Sons dance program. In her essay, Amanda wrote, “Hermann Sons, in my book, means unity, aid, support, and financial protection. My father was killed in the line of duty in 1999, which was right before my second birthday. His death led to my mother having to provide for me as a single parent. The whole community was there for us when we needed help the most. They provided not only emotional, but financial support as well. As a young child, I had no idea what these selfless acts meant, but now with a more mature mind, the significance is clearer to me. I am most grateful for the people who put my family before themselves. They helped us through the worst time of our lives. “I believe Hermann Sons helps people in situations similar to mine, and even people who need much more help. Everyone will eventually go through a tough time, but not everyone will receive guidance and assistance such as what Hermann Sons offers. I think it is wonderful that Hermann Sons contributes amenities that can change people’s lives for the greater good. See RETIREMENT, Pg. 14