Youth Section

SPJST Youth Section

The deadline for all Věstník items is 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month. Send your news and photos directly to: SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503 Fax: 254-773-8087 Email: vestnik@spjst.org Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo Questions? Call 800-727-7578

This section is dedicated to the youth of SPJST. As part of its membership benefits, SPJST offers a statewide youth program. If you or someone you know is interested in learning about opportunities offered to young members of SPJST, please contact your local lodge, District Youth Counselor (listed on page 2), State Fraternal Director at 800-727-7578, or visit www.spjst.org.

State Queen Visits Caldwell For Kolache Festival

District Six youth to host Christmas ornament contest at SPJST anniversary celebration

Hey, District Six Youth and Parents!

Get excited! Our district will be attending and celebrating SPJST’s 125th anniversary at Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) in La Grange on Saturday, October 15, 2022. This will also be our District Six fall fun day!

We are encouraging all District Six youth to participate in a Christmas ornament contest. Registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. at Lodge 19, Velehrad Hall that is located at TCHCC. Velehrad Hall is the famous building that District Six donated to TCHCC in 2017. Following judging, we will present awards at the SPJST Tent at 1:45 p.m. right before the kolache eating contest. Complete contest rules can be found in the SPJST Youth Club Handbook which is available online at spjst.org.

If you have questions or need more information, please give me a call at 979-543-7120.

Plan to come on out to La Grange and spend the day celebrating SPJST’s proud heritage! See you then! Fraternally, Lisa Bubela District Six Youth Counselor —SPJST— Dear Vestnik Readers,

Greetings from your State Queen! I am reporting back on our State Royalty trip to the Kolache Festival in Caldwell, Texas, in September.

The entire State Royalty court attended that day, and we participated in many fun activities while we were there. One of the activities we participated in was assisting with the kolache eating contest. It was very entertaining to watch people stuff themselves with kolaches for a prize! We also spoke to people and handed out brochures at the car show that was held that same day to advertise the upcoming Cars & Guitars car show and music festival that will be held at Camp Kubena on October 29. There were many various types of cars at the Caldwell car show from vintage cars from the 50’s to extremely powerful sports cars. Finally, we were able to meet the very friendly Kolache Festival Queen. Then, we finished the afternoon with the judging of the kolache baking contest, and afterwards, we had a great time dancing the polka, two-step, and waltz while the band played. It was so fun! Speaking of friendly, the town of Caldwell is very hospitable and heavily embraces its Czech heritage. I would definitely recommend attending the Kolache Festival next year. I hope I will visit Caldwell again some time soon! Fraternally, Brooke Bacak 2022-2023 State Queen

Lodge 47, Seaton youth ready for Halloween, candy

Dear Vestnik Readers,

I cannot wait for Halloween. I hope I will get a lot of candy because I need as much candy as I can get. This year, we got brand new Halloween decorations, which I am excited about because I never thought our house looked spooky enough. I have noticed that every morning it is starting to get colder and colder which shows that we are about to get into the winter season.

School’s been going well, and I am enjoying it. In reading, we are talking about the Renaissance ages and how people painted, sculpted, and lived.

Recently, I ran for student council and STEM ambassador. Unfortunately, I lost both - the student council by one vote, and I do not know how many for STEM ambassador. My friend won STEM ambassador though.

I do not think you know this yet, but I am in orchestra at school. The instrument I play is the cello. Today, we learned how to play a new song, which is “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

On Sunday, October 2, we had our monthly SPJST meeting. We did the word search and the Vestnik project, both for SPJST’s 125th anniversary so we could get entered in a contest for several Czech-themed prizes. At the meeting, we talked about the SPJST District

Megan Pflughaupt of Lodge 88, Houston named “Princess for the day” at 59th annual sts. cyril & methodius slavic heritage festival

Congratulations to Megan Pflughaupt of Lodge 88, Houston Youth Club! She was named “Princess for the Day” at the 59th Annual Sts. Cyril and Methodius Slavic Heritage Festival of Houston, Texas held Sunday, September 25, 2022. She was chosen to represent the Czech community of Houston.

Two fall fun day at our hall. They told us that if we brought a friend this year, we would get money because they are trying to find new people to get into the youth club. We also talked a little bit about our Christmas party.

Enjoy the rest of your month. Fraternally, Travis Ordogne, age 10 —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton youth ready for trick-or-treat

Dear Vestnik Readers,

I have started soccer. It’s fun. I have got zero goals so far this year. I have got cool teammates. I’m really good at soccer. My teammates like to pass to me. I play midfield. I’m really fast.

I have a little puppy. She’s funny and cute, and her name is Lily. I also have another dog. Her name is Angel. She’s pretty cute. She turned 13 last month.

My school is a STEM school.

Halloween is coming. It’s going to be fun. Trick-or-treat! Haha. One more time: Trick-or-treat. I hope I get 500 pieces of candy. I already have my Halloween decorations up. Andrew Ordogne, age 7 —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton youth enjoys new school year

School is off to a good start, I really like my teachers, and we have art class this year. We had a spaghetti lunch for Grandparents Day, and it was really good . . . spaghetti is my favorite.

I got to help sell tickets for the bucket drawing during our lodge’s Extravaganza.

Sydney Bilbrey, age 9 —SPJST—

District One Youth participate in BCYF Parade

Youth from Lodges 9, Snook and 17, New Tabor rode in the Burleson County Youth Fair Parade on Saturday, September 17, 2022. LEFT PHOTO: 2022 State King J.Beaux Hruska (9) and District One Queen Jada Parks (17) are driven by District One Director Donnie Victorick. They are pictured with District One Youth Counselor Hannah Kovar. RIGHT PHOTO: District One youth are ready to ride in the parade on the SPJST Float. The entry received a first place award.

Lodge 81, Needville youth attend Fort bend county fair opening day

Dear Readers,

Friday was the Fort Bend County Fair opening day. We got off from school. We went to the rodeo and played field day. My sisters, Ruby and Zoey, came, too. We met up with my cousins, Tripp and Nate. I also saw Myles Mikulec there from Lodge 81. I didn’t win any races, but I had a fun time. There was also a carnival, and I won a stuffed puppy. Amber Jones, age 8

—SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth inducted into National Honor Society Lodge 81, Needville Youth Club welcomes new members

Dear Vestnik Readers,

On September 14, 2022, I was inducted into the National Honor Society. It was an honor to receive this amazing award along with my fellow friends. My hard work and determination paid off and was an amazing feeling that I will never forget! Sincerely, Bethany Baker, age 16 —SPJST—

Lodge 81, Needville would like to tell you about our newest members — Nathan Hargraves and Zoey Jones. My sister and cousin have been coming since they were babies, but now they are officially in the youth club now that they are in kindergarten. I am happy to be able to have them come to camp with me next summer. Ruby Jones, age 7 —SPJST—

A District One Director B A Supports SPJST Youth at BCYF B

At the 2022 Burleson County Youth Fair Auction, District One Director Donnie Victorick purchased pecan brittle made by 2022-2023 SPJST State King J.Beaux Hruska and broilers raised by SPJST State Duke Jace Hruska. J.Beaux and Jace are members of Lodge 9, Snook Youth Club. Director Victorick also purchased the rabbits raised by District One Queen Jada Parks, who is a member of Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club.

Kennedi Withem is pictured with her reserve champion swine. Kennedi is a member of Lodge 9, Snook Youth Club.

Supporting the active SPJST youth is something Director Victorick has done for many years. “I feel it is important to support the future leaders and help them grow their college fund to further their education,” he says.

Kennedi Withem