Volume 101 Number 35
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
Czech Republic Little League Team Excels at World Series
Our youth have enjoyed the benefits of Little League in the United States for 74 years. The history of Little League in the Czech Republic does not come with a storied past. But for a group of kids from Brno, Czech Republic, their history is being written now among the world’s elite. South Moravia Little League from Brno became the first Little League program from the Czech Republic to qualify for the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After competing in district and national tournaments, the South Moravia Little League advanced to the Europe and Africa Regional Tournament held in Kutno, Poland. They claimed the Europe and Africa Region title on July 20, 2013, by beating Emilia Little League from Italy by a score of 3-0. As the Europe and Africa Region Champions, the team traveled to Pennsylvania and received new shoes, bats, and uniforms. They had pictures taken, did interviews with ESPN, and practiced as they prepared for their opening game against powerhouse Japan. They rode on a float through downtown Williamsport in the Annual Grand Slam Parade. The two and one-half mile parade route has about 60,000 people lined along the streets to celebrate the start of another Little League World Series and welcome 16 teams from all parts of the globe to
SPJST Scholarship Applications Available
By Douglas Galler of Lodge 66, Waco
September through January Applications and all required information must be submitted to the Home Office Fraternal Department by February 1, 2014. To receive a General Scholarship Application and/or *Leadership Grant Application, please call the SPJST Home Office Fraternal Department at (800) 727-7578 or download an application at www.spjst.org.
One of the many benefits SPJST offers to its members is the Scholarship Program. In 2013, a total of 41 General Scholarships and 11 Leadership Grants were awarded. In addition, at the 2013 State Youth Achievement Day, six District Merit Grants, one State Merit Award, and two Royalty Grants were awarded for a total of 61 scholarships and grants presented for the year. Since the program’s inception, more than $1.5 million has been awarded. General and Technical Scholarships are funded through SPJST’s annual allocation, through voluntary contributions received from our 100 Pennies Drive, and memorial donations received throughout the year. The number of scholarships given each year depends on how much we receive in donations and the annual allocation already in force. Donations are tax deductible. Applications for scholarships are sent out from September through January upon request. The Fraternal Department must receive the completed
application and all required information by February 1, 2014. Recipients are announced in April. The following scholarships are available through the scholarship program:
*Must be an active Youth Club member to apply for the Leadership Grant.
Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Before the parade, they enjoyed a picnic and got to meet Baseball Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry. The Europe and Africa Region team began World Series play on Friday, August 16 against the Japan champion from Tokyo. After Tomas Jurik walked to lead off the third inning, Daniel Stoudek earned the first hit and first home run for the Czech Republic with a two run home run over the left field wall. The ball was kept to be placed in the World of Little League Museum next to the Little League International Headquarters in South Williamsport. The Czech Republic team held Japan at bay, allowing only seven runs from the hard hitting Japan team. Although their first outing at the Little League World Series ended in a 7-3 loss, everyone present believed that the Europe and Africa Region team would win some ballgames. The Europe and Africa Region team
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Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 District News........................................4 Supreme Lodge Meeting Minutes ......5 Lodge Section....................................12
September 11, 2013
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ......................................24 Youth Section.....................................26 Czech Culture ....................................32 Advertisements .......................34,37-39 Lodge Calendar ............................35-36 SPJST Cookbook Order Form..........40
Page 14
Lodge 66 Waco youth celebrates Smurfy birthday
• General and Technical Scholarships – For all SPJST members
• Leadership Grants – For active SPJST youth club members – Applicants may only apply for this grant in his/her senior year of high school. {*Note: Active youth club members are strongly encouraged to apply for both the General Scholarship (or Technical Scholarship if attending a technical school) and the Leadership Grant.}
All interested SPJST members who wish to apply for a scholarship must meet the following criteria:
• Applicants must have an active SPJST life insurance certificate in force for at least one full year.
Continued on Page 3.
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Pages 18-19
Lodge 80 Holland hosts successful fundraiser
Page 31
Lodge 84 Dallas Youth Club hosts activities