VESTNIK June 1:Layout 1
5/27/11
ˇ ´ VESTNIK
2:02 PM
Volume 99 Number 22
Page 1
S P J S T
Benevolence
Lodge 24, Cyclone member devotes 38 years of service
H E R A L D
Humanity
ISSN —07458800
Brotherhood
Rogers ISD Teacher Retires, Leaves Legacy Behind rings at Rogers Independent School District this week, teacher Brenda Williams of SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone will be putting down her chalk after 38 years of service. Former students, teaching peers, and friends gathered on May 18, 2011, at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Temple, Texas, to honor Brenda’s retirement. “Having taught 38 years still seems unreal to me,” Mrs. Williams says. “God has blessed me greatly.” Brenda began her education in a one-room school called Ad Hall at Pettibone, Texas, with about 20 students. “Then, I went to the big city of Cameron in the fifth grade, and I graduated from there,” she adds. After graduating from C.H. Yoe High School in 1966, Brenda earned her associate of arts degree from Temple College in 1970 and her bachelor of arts from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1971. She also com-
pleted her master of education from Texas A&M University in 1986. Brenda began her career at Rogers ISD in 1973. “Being hired in Rogers was a blessing because that’s where we lived, and I was able to be close to my children as they went through school,” she says. All of her 38 years of service has been at Rogers Middle School (formerly Rogers Junior High). She has taught sixth grade social studies and language arts, seventh grade Texas history, and eighth grade American history and language arts. A lot has changed since Brenda’s first day on the job in 1973. She defines the biggest challenge as the advancement of technology in the classroom. “I grew up without computers and taught so many years without a computer in the classroom,” she says. “It was a new experience for me—sometimes not an easy one.” She has also sponsored many extra
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Several former students gather to congratulate and present Mrs. Brenda Williams a rocking chair to honor and commemorate her 38 years of service to Rogers ISD.
Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 District News........................................7 Lodge Section......................................8 Reunions ............................................19
S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living invites members to VA Aid and Attendance Workshop S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living is inviting all members to a VA Aid and Attendance Workshop to be held at S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living, located at 505 East Lake Drive in Taylor, Texas, on Friday, June 24, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. As seen on NBC Nightly News, the workshop is for veterans, widows of veterans, and seniors to learn about important VA benefits. Are either you, your spouse, or parents a veteran . . . • With 90 days of consecutive, active military service, one day served during war time? • With a discharge of any kind other than dishonorable? • At least age 65 or older? Then, learn how you can qualify for little known, little used, Veteran’s benefits. The Veteran’s Improved Pension Benefit is substantial! Up to $1,950 per month - tax free! Learn how certain veterans or their widows can re-
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Youth Section ....................................21 Vestnik Project...................................22 In Memoriam ......................................25 Czech Culture ...................................27 Advertisements ............................28-29 Lodge Calendar .................................30
Joining Hands
Lodge 9, Snook members James and Ann Schoeneman, clad in their SPJST summer camp tee-shirts, prepare flowers for youth to place on graves in Snook Cemetery on Join Hands Day.
By Vestnik Editor/Director of Communication and Former Student Melanie Zavodny
As the last bell of the school year
June 1, 2011
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Scenes from State Horseshoe Tournament
ceive up to $1,950 per month from the VA to pay for medical expenses or assisted living. The benefit is substantial. While the benefit has been available since 1951, it has been stated there may be 2 million veterans or their widow(er)s likely missing out on as much as $22 billion a year in pension. US Benefits Analysts has assisted many seniors, veterans, and their widows in learning about benefits that can increase your income, tax free! Additionally, there is never a charge for this service. Maximize your benefits! For more information, call Greg McDonnell of US Benefits Analysts at (512) 784-4343 or visit www.gbausa.org/gmcdonnell. US Benefits Analysts is a member of National Ethics Bureau and an accredited business of Better Business Bureau (BBB). See the flyer in the June 15 Vestnik. —SPJST—
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District FACs, Presidents meet in Temple
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Lodge 87 Temple youth learn about dinosaurs