Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
VESTNIK 'ff7)
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
LT I E.
Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 August 14, 1996 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 84 NUMBER 32
King Tustin and Oueen Karen reign
State contests reward talent, build goodwill SPJST members from around the state converged on Temple August 3 and 4 for the annual SPJST State Royalty competition and State Youth Achievement Day. Approximately 350 contestants and supporters turned out for the State Royalty Competition and Beseda dance performances on Saturday in Temple's Mayborn Convention Center. The next day, an enthusiastic crowd of more than 700 were on hand for the Youth Achievement Day performances and project judging. "Once again, the participants of this year's State Youth Achievement Day did an outstanding job in their craft entries, their talent, their speeches and the Beseda performances," observed State Youth Director Joni Lange. "Every year it becomes increasingly difficult to select one first place winner from so many talented and gifted young people. "We wish to thank the participants for their hard work and dedication to the SPJST, the youth leaders and DYCs for
their help and support, and the family and friends of the participants who came out to show their support to the youth of our society. The success of State Youth Achievement Day is the direct result of high standards by its members, and skillful execution of its leaders and volunteers," said Sister Lange. Results and photos of all contests appear on pages 10 - 13 of this week's Vestnik. The coronation of the 1996-1997 SPJST State King and Queen topped Saturday's activities. Justin Engelke, 14, of Lodge 66, Waco and Karen Bender, 16, of Lodge 88, Houston, were crowned king and queen. For the next 12 months, Justin and Karen will represent the SPJST at various public appearances throughout the state of Texas. Upon graduation, both will receive $500 SPJST scholarships. Justin, who attends Connally High School in Waco, is the son of Diana and John Engelke. Karen, who attends Stafford High School in Houston, is the
Congratulations and Best Wishes 1996 - 1997 Royalty Court members receive congratulations with Supreme Lodge Chairman and District Three Director Sid Pokladnik. Pictured, from left, are: Duchess Krystle Bender, Queen Karen Bender, Brother Pokladnik, King Justin Engelke and Duke Douglas Gallen
son of E.J. and Jeanette Bender. The 1996- 1997 State Duke is Douglas Galler, 11, of Lodge 66, Waco. He is the son of Michael and Debbie Galler. State Duchess is Krystle Bender, 12, of Lodge 88, Houston. She is also the daughter of E.J. and Jeanette Bender. The king and queen were selected on the basis of a three-minute speech during which they were scored on the speech content, their delivery and overall poise. All of the individuals who comprise the 1996-1997 SPJST Royalty Court are
winners in their own right, having been selected to represent their respective districts as kings and queens. In his presentation, Justin addressed the subject of fraternalism, citing several examples of how participation in lodge activities and community service projects makes life better for all who are involved. "When you know that you made someone feel good, it makes you feel good that you did something nice for someone," he (Continued on page 3)
1996 Merit Point Scholarship
Snook member receives merit point scholarship Kathryn Anne Kovar, 18, a member of the Lodge 9, Snook Youth Club and an incoming agribusiness freshman at Texas A&M University, is the recipient of the 1996 SPJST State Merit Scholarship. She is the son of Larry and Yvonne Kovar of Snook. Kathryn received the $1000 scholarship during Youth Achievement Day activities on Sunday, August 4 at the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple. Teens from each district with the most youth merit points over the last three years were eligible to compete for the scholarship. As part of the competition, each teen submitted a 1,000-word essay. The winner was selected by a panel of judges using the following criteria: Neatness: 15 percent; Content: 50 percent; and Mechanics (grammar, spelling, sentence structure): 35 percent. District Merit Scholarship winners are pictured on page 13 of this week's Vestnik. Kathryn's winning essay follows:
SPJST - WHERE EVERY KID Is A WINNER
"T
I. rain up a child in the way he should go — and when he is old, he will not depart from it The Bible provides
distinct instruction in Proverbs 22:6 on parents' responsibilities to their children. While the verse seems simple and one would think that all parents would do their best to follow its teaching, we find that the demands of today's society often make it difficult to follow. The SPJST, which was founded on the principles of fraternalism, seeks to instill in its membership, through its various programs, their responsibility to the children in this organization. The SPJST sponsors and supports its youth programs, perhaps better than any other fraternal organization. This SPJST Youth Program had its beginning as early as 1934, with considerable progress made in the 1950s. The present program came into existence in the 1960s. During the
XIXth Convention in 1964 in Waco, the Supreme Lodge presented checks to the various district treasurers designated for the Youth Fund. To this day, the SPJST continues to support this program. The. SPJST provides financial support to its youth through a variety of programs including the Youth Fund, the Quarterly reimbursements, the Camp and Camping Fund, and the Merit Points Program, to name a few. During a time in the 1960s when many youth were categorized as being rebellious, the SPJST went on record to characterize its youth as "The fiber that the future is made of." The Society continues to support the youth through various character-building programs. Examples include Youth Achievement Days, at both the district and state levels, summer camp, the Youth Section in the Vestnik, the Merit Points Program, and a variety of community service projects sponsored by the local lodges. (Continued on page 3)
Kathryn Anne Kovar receives congratulations from Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar.