Youth Section

Scenes from District One Fall Fun Day

Sunday, October 24, 2021 • SPJST Lodge 17, New Tabor • Submitted by Holly Narro, Assistant Youth Counselor

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, District One held its annual fall fun day at Lodge 17, New Tabor. The afternoon was filled with a Halloween costume contest, trunk-or-treating, Christmas ornament contest, bingo, and a meal. Thank you to everyone who decorated a trunk for the youth to enjoy. Also, thanks to Lodge 17, New Tabor for hosting and for the delicious meal. It was a fun afternoon! —Holly Narro, District One Assistant Youth Counselor —SPJST—

TOP PHOTO: Costume contest participants are looking so cute! TOP CENTER and FAR RIGHT PHOTOS: Costume contest winners - congratulations! RIGHT and BELOW PHOTOS: Trunk-or-treat fun!

Participants of all ages enjoy playing bingo for candy and other fun prizes!

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT CONTEST WINNERS. From left, ages kindergarten to 8 years: 1st Channing Starmer (17), 2nd - Kyren Plachy (17), 3rd - Marley Kocurek (17); ages 9 to 11: 1st - Collins Starmer (17), 2nd - Brylee Chmelar (17), 3rd - Abby Lopez (17); ages 15 to high school senior: 1st - Ciara Coker (186), 2nd - Ashlyn Kellum (17), 3rd - Macy Narro (17).

District One Youth Enjoy Overnight Stay at Camp Kubena

Youth of District One enjoyed a fabulous overnight stay at Camp Kubena on November 13 and 14, 2021, filled with archery, gun range, axe throwing, ropes course, games, crafts, hiking, hayride, and hot chocolate. Thank you to Rob and staff for a wonderful weekend! A great big thank you to Mr. Donnie Victorick and Ashley for providing us with a delicious hamburger meal.

—Submitted by Holly Narro, Assistant District One Youth Counselor

Lodge 30, Taiton youth bowls with SPJST friends

Hey, Readers!

On Saturday, October 30, 2021, we had a District Six outing at El Campo Bowling alley and had our Christmas ornament contest. I had the best time bowling with my fellow SPJST friends. I even placed second with my ornament. It was a fun day! Grady Lange, age 7 —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth places first with ornament

Dear SPJST Members,

On Saturday, October 30, 2021, District Six had an outing at the El Campo Bowling alley. We had our Christmas ornament contest as well that day. I had a great time helping the younger youth learn how to bowl and helping them bowl. We enjoyed a hamburger lunch. I placed first with my ornament. It was a fun day!

Grant Bubela, age 15 —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth enjoys Christmas meal Lodge 47, Seaton youth excited about Santa Claus

On Monday, November 22, 2021, we had our November and December meeting at the Lone Star Cafe in Taiton. We also had our Christmas party, too, where we enjoyed food, fellowship, and fun! We had a delicious meal of beef and chicken fajitas with all the trimmings. I enjoy being with all of my SPJST friends!

Sincerely, Bethany Baker, age 15 —SPJST— Dear Vestnik Readers,

Merry Christmas! I am so excited for Santa Claus to come to town! This Friday, our lodge is having a lock-in. We are invited to bring friends. I can’t wait. I have invited two friends so far. Also soon will be our lodge Christmas party. We get to visit with Santa and even put on a play!

School is almost out for Christmas break! I can't wait! The last Friday of

District Six Youth, Adults Ride SPJST Float in El Campo Christmas Parade

District Six hosted the SPJST Float in the El Campo Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 2, 2021. Members of Lodges 30, Taiton and 40, El Campo-Hillje rode the float in the parade. RIGHT PHOTO: Left to right are Melanie Zavodny, Frank Horak, Cathy Garcia, Wendy Korenek, Yvonne Marcaurele, Debbie Krpec, and Karen Kaspar.

TOP LEFT PHOTO: Claire Manrriquez (40), Hudson Riha (30), and Vanessa Riha (30). PHOTO 2: 2021-2022 District Six Duchess Vanessa Riha (30) and Queen Faith Korenek (30). PHOTO 3: Debbie Krpec (30). RIGHT PHOTO: Duchess Vanessa and 2019 State Duke Hudson Riha (30). LEFT PHOTO: Lodge 40, El CampoHillje youth riding the float are Angelica Manzano, Jackson Vasquez, Aiden Garcia, NayEli Garcia, Saydee Manrriquez, and Claire Manrriquez. RIGHT PHOTO: Hudson and Vanessa Riha, front, are pictured with their grandmother Yvonne Marcaurele, left, and David and Melanie Zavodny Nauert.

school before Christmas break, we get a Christmas party and an early release. My mom and dad got me a trip for Christmas, but I don’t know what it is yet! Happy holidays and see you in 2022.

Fraternally Travis Ordogne, age 9 —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton youth earns soccer medal

Dear Vestnik Readers,

Today, I got my flu shot. I was a statue. It did not hurt at all. I did not know she finished. It was so quick it felt like she had just started. Then I got a sucker. I ate the sucker right when I got it. It was really good.

I won second place for soccer. I got a soccer medal. I was sad because I won’t get to see my teammates anymore. I also had a soccer party.

For Thanksgiving, I am going to my MawMaw and PawPaw’s house. I cannot wait to eat lots and lots and lots of turkey. I cannot wait to see my grandparents’ dogs Ally and Coco.

Goodbye, and Happy Thanksgiving! Andrew Ordogne, age 6 —SPJST—

Simply Because

by d.knape I write this poem simply because

the world needs more expressions of

Love that is given freely away

let Christmas come then every day.

—SPJST

District Six hosts Youth Ornament Contest; Bowling Social

District Six hosted a youth outing on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at El Campo Bowling Center. The event included the Christmas ornament contest. TOP PHOTOS: Congratulations to winners, from left, ages kindergarten to 8 years - 1st - Case Janssen (30), 2nd - Grady Lange (30), 3rd - Millie Garrett (30); ages 9 to 11 - 1st - Abigail Garrett (30), 2nd - Simone Riha (30); ages 12 to 14 - 1st - Bethany Baker (30); ages 15 to high school senior - 1st - Grant Bubela (30). SECOND ROW: Youth display their ornaments; District Six Youth Counselor Lisa Bubela and Bethany Baker; youth are pictured with District Six Director Annie Vahalik, back, left, and DYC Lisa Bubela, back, right. —Submitted by Kirby Bubela

Congratulations, District Seven Christmas Ornament Contest Winners! —Submitted by April Howard, District Seven Youth Counselor

1st - Sloan Craig Lodge 79, Corpus Christi Ages 5 to 8

2nd - Colt Pruski Lodge 107, Floresville

3rd - Slade Craig Lodge 79, Corpus Christi

1st - Camila Cabrera Lodge 185, New Braunfels Ages 9 to 11

2nd - Jacob Rebecek Lodge 79, Corpus Christi

1st - Katie Haag Lodge 185, New Braunfels Ages 12 to 14

2nd - Megan Ohnheiser Lodge 185, New Braunfels Ages 15 to High School Senior

3rd - Skeet Kitchen Lodge 185, New Braunfels

3rd - Gatlin Mills Lodge 185, New Braunfels

Lodge 81, needville youth club decorates s.p.j.s.t. senior living center windows

Lodge 81, Needville Youth Club met on Sunday, November 29, 2021, and decorated the windows of the S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Center. We couldn’t carol so we did this for the people instead. The nurses and people inside watched the decorating show.

Our next meeting is Monday, December 20.

Ruby Jones, age 6 —SPJST—

Lodge 81, Needville Youth Club members proudly pose in front of two of the windows they decorated at S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Center in Needville. Pictured are Nathan Hargraves, Zoey Jones, Amber Jones, Tripp Hargraves, and Ruby Jones.

Lodge 81, needville youth club decorates Christmas tree at hall

LEFT PHOTOS: Youth members Tripp Hargraves, age 9; Amber Jones, age 8; Ruby Jones, age 6; Nathan Hargraves, age 4; and Zoey Jones, age 4, decorate the Christmas tree at Lodge 81, Needville. FAR RIGHT PHOTO: Pictured in front of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree are, left to right, Emma Kujawa, Willie Mae Kuykendall, Miss Janzeck, Amber Jones, Nathan Hargraves, Tripp Hargraves, Ruby Jones, Kristen Jones, Zoey Jones, Dorothy Kuban, and Miss Pieper.

Dear Readers,

On Sunday, November 21, 2021, Lodge 81, Needville Youth Club met for our monthly meeting and decorated a Christmas tree for the lodge. Our old tree got messed up by the freeze damage so our Grandpa, EJ Bender, donated a tree and the youth club bought the ornaments and angel, which is really pretty. We had so much fun decorating the tree. We all put on ornaments, and Amber and Youth Leader Kristen put on the angel. Ruby and I got to put on the tree skirt. The lodge members of the kitchen committee said it was such a pretty tree and took a photo with us when it was done!

Next Meeting—December 19

Our next meeting is Sunday, December 19 where we will sing Christmas carols to the lodge and give out stockings to our members. I can’t wait to see everyone then!

Merry Christmas! Fraternally, Tripp Hargraves, age 9 —SPJST—

Lodge 154, Fort Worth Youth Club hosts SPJST Float in Parade of Lights

Sunday, November 21, 2021 • Fort Worth, Texas

LEFT PHOTO: Lodge 154, Fort Worth members are ready to ride. They are pictured with, front, left to right, District Three Director John and Diana Engelke and Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny and David Nauert. CENTER PHOTO: From left are Gentry Burcie, Holly Jones, and Carolyn Cleveland. RIGHT PHOTO: Loy Jones and Mary Steinman. BELOW LEFT PHOTO: Appa Burcie, left, Gentry Burcie, and 2020 SPJST State Queen Holly Jones. BELOW CENTER PHOTO: Laci Rasor, left, and 2021 District Three Queen Macy Jones. RIGHT PHOTO: Left to right are Holley Burud, Mckenzie Burcie, and Kyleigh Hernandez.