34
Monday, April 26, 2021
His greatest loves were for God, his family, and his guide dogs who were his constant companions. He was a member of Church of Christ and was a man of faith and raised his kids to love God. Jesse had an ever-present smile and his sense of humor, and his love for God made him much beloved by those who knew him. His unconditional love and acceptance of others will forever be remembered. Mr. Mendoza was preceded in death by his parents; sister Lucy Vasquez; and guide dog Toronto. Jesse is survived by son Jody Mendoza of Temple; daughter Jessica Mendoza of Temple; sisters Dolores Mendoza and Veronica Mendoza, both of Minneapolis, Minnesota; brothers Jose Mercado of Cameron and Obdulio Mercado of Temple; grandchildren Brittaney Mendoza and Jody Mendoza Jr. of Austin, Selena Mendoza, Sariah Mendoza, Joe Anthony Ramirez, Rayna Ramirez, and Leah Ramirez, all of Temple, and Noah Mendoza and Aaliyah Mendoza, both of Taylor; great-grandchildren Madison, Gabriel, Nevaeh, and Reign; and guide dog France. —SPJST—
Free as a Bird by d.knape
Not fences, not walls not snow and not rain block flights of birds who fly unrestrained from mountains to sea in any terrain birds fly where they will their compass ingrained the sky is their home their freedom sustained they go where they please sing their joyous refrains if only this gift we could have obtained free as a bird the world’s their domain. —SPJST—
VĚSTNÍK
SPJST May Věstník Project This project earns a maximum 1 point in the SPJST Youth Merit Point System. To complete the project questions to earn 1 point in the SPJST Merit Point System, scan the QR Code below, or go directly to spjst.org/programs/vestnik-project/
Get to Know District Six Youth Counselor Lisa Bubela District Six Youth Counselor and Lodge 30, Taiton Youth Club Leader Lisa Bubela was born on March 24, 1960, at Nightingale Hospital in El Campo, Texas, to Stanley and Alice (Stepan) Blaha.
Lisa’s parents purchased her first SPJST life insurance certificate when she was 11 years old; she is now a 50-year member and received her pin in March. Lisa has two sisters and three brothers, in which her parents purchased certificates at the same time. She is the second of the six children. All six children became active youth club members of Lodge 30, Taiton. Lisa attended SPJST camp that was held at Bastrop State Park. She has many great memories from attending camp. She remembers singing, dancing, and having court. She also participated in youth achievement day (YAD) doing crafts and talent. Taiton was known for winning group talent at SPJST State YAD. Lisa continues her active involvement today in the SPJST Youth Program, and Camp Kubena has a special place in her heart. She represented District Six as a director on the SPJST Education and Nature Center (ENC) Board whose purpose was to help find SPJST’s very own camp.
Lisa grew up in a small, twobedroom house in El Campo with her parents and siblings. At the age of five years, the family moved to a larger house next to her grandparents. The grandparents helped take care of the children while Lisa’s parents worked. Lisa’s father was a self-taught hard worker who only went to school through the eighth grade. He was a mechanic while in the US Army, and once he started a family of his own, he opened his own small engine repair service next to their home. Lisa’s mom worked for Sears as a sales and inventory manager. Lisa remembers at a young age going camping with the family to Lake Somerville. She can remember riding in the back of their 1965 Ford truck - that had a camper on the back - pulling a 1957 Lyman wooden boat. She also remembers anytime they went camping, work was involved — having to clear grass and trees to make a perfect spot to pop their tent. Lisa and her late husband Greg carried on that camping tradition with their two daughters. Annually, they traveled to the Frio River for summer vacation. Still today, Lisa and her family visit the Frio River every summer. She loves to sit in the river and visit with all the people who are floating. Lisa also enjoys taking a trip to Big Bend and getting to see the beauty of nature. Lisa attended St. Philip Catholic School until the eighth grade. She
then attended El Campo H i g h School. During her high school years, she was involved in the El Campo D e r b y Dolls Drill Team “Once a Doll, always a Doll.” After high school, Lisa attended Wharton County Junior College and graduated with an associate’s degree in science. In 1998, Lisa received her Texas Master Florist Certificate that has helped her become the master florist she is today. She owns her own floral shop located in El Campo. Lisa and late husband Greg had two daughters - Kirby and Kenna. Both of their daughters were active youth club members at Lodge 30. Today, Lisa has three grandsons - Hesston, Grant, and Grady, who are all members of Lodge 30, Taiton, and Grant and Grady are active members of the youth club. Daughter Kirby serves as assistant youth leader. Lisa enjoys working with the youth. Her passion and favorite SPJST activity is going to Camp Kubena. Lisa played a big part in helping SPJST secure its own camp. —SPJST—
https://spjst.org/programs/vestnik-project/
