11 minute read
Youth Section
from Vestnik 2023.01.23
by SPJST
SPJST YOUTH SECTION
The deadline for Věstník items is 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Send your news and photos to: SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503 Email: vestnik@spjst.org Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo Questions? Call 800-727-7578
Lodge 47, Seaton youth celebrates Christmas, New Year
Dear Vestnik Readers,
I had a fun Christmas. From Santa, I got a Nintendo Switch! I also got a new tablet, and the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. We got to eat fried chicken for Christmas dinner. New Year’s was also fun. We got to eat black-eyed peas, pork steak, cornbread, cabbage, and French fries. It was a delicious meal, and we were all full afterwards.
On the day after New Year’s, we went fishing. I caught one channel catfish, and my mom caught three channel catfish. My dad also caught a fish, but we didn’t keep it. We got to bring them home and now we get to eat them soon.
I also had a sleepover the day after New Year’s with one of my friends. I had fun.
On Wednesday, we had to go back to school. My birthday is coming up soon. I cannot wait. I will be turning 11. Fraternally, Travis Ordogne, age 10 —SPJST—
Lodge 20, Granger youth enjoy holiday lunch
Lodge 20, Granger members gathered for a holiday lunch at Sirloin Stockade in Taylor on Sunday, January 8, 2023. Youth group members are, left to right, Caraline Elwood, Cooper Elwood, Collin Teague, Caden Elwood (in front), Maxx David, and Sebastian Goodman with Youth Leader Brita Bohac. —Jvonne Lalla
Lodge 47, Seaton youth visits father’s work, sees military tanks
Dear Vestnik Readers,
Welcome to 2023! I hope this will be a fun year. I think that there will be more active members in SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton.
I got a Nintendo Switch for Christmas. It was from Santa. I got two games for my Nintendo Switch the day after Christmas. I got Stardew Valley and Minecraft. I also got Crocs from my aunt. They are so cool.
I had fun during Christmas. I got to go see tanks with my dad on Thursday. It was pretty cool, too. I got to go inside the tanks. I wish I could go again. They will use them in wars. I want to go back again soon. Fraternally, Andrew Ordogne, age 7 —SPJST—
Lodge 49, Rowena youth to graduate in May
Dear SPJST,
Track practice has started for me, and I can’t wait for the meets. This is my last sport of my high school career. I’ll be ready to graduate in May then go into the workforce. Tanner Wood, age 18 —SPJST—
Dear SPJST,
Tennis season is here, and I’ve been practicing for about two weeks now. I hope this season goes well for me. School is still challenging at times. I sure am going to miss my brother next year when he graduates. Hunter Wood, age 17 —SPJST—
Lodge 30, Taiton youth wins powerlifting medal
Dear Vestnik Readers,
On Saturday January 7, 2023, I attended my first powerlifting meet at Bay City High School. I earned second place in my weight class. I had so much fun for my first time and can’t wait til the next meet! Sincerely, Bethany Baker, age 16 —SPJST—
Lodge 49, Rowena youth ready for camping weekend
Dear SPJST,
We get to go camping this weekend with my uncle and his family. It’s going to be lots of fun with them. Mom says it’s maybe supposed to rain, but that’s okay - we will still have fun. Cotton Wood, age 12 —SPJST—
Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club enjoys afternoon at Urban Air
Sunday, January 8, 2023 • Urban Air Adventure Park • Bryan, Texas • Submitted by Holly Narro, Youth Leader
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club enjoyed an afternoon of fun at Urban Air Adventure Park in Bryan. A total of 40 youth club members and siblings attended. Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner at CiCi’s Pizza with cupcakes to celebrate Youth Leader Holly Narro’s recent birthday (thank you, Gamma). Thank you to everyone who gave a memorial donation to the youth club in memory of Gladys Trcalek Hejl. Your contributions were used to help our youth enjoy a day of fun, food, and fellowship.
Lodge 84, Dallas youth looking towards summer activities
Dear Readers,
The youth of Lodge 84, Dallas continue to meet on a monthly basis to discuss upcoming youth events and activities.
Youth Leader Lynda reminds us to keep submitting our monthly challenges (Vestnik projects) and be thinking of our entries for the State Youth Showcase on July 28 and 29 in Temple and of course, State Camp which is June 21 to 25.
Until next month, Josh Tucker, age 12 —SPJST—
Valentine’s Day History and Today
It’s Valentine’s Day! The special day of the year when we show our appreciation for people we care about, by exchanging cards, chocolates, and even exorbitant gifts. So how did this love fest begin? Read on . . . History There are many legends about the origin of Valentine’s Day. The most popular one dates all the way back to 270 AD, the days of the Roman Empire. According to folklore, Emperor Claudius II was not a big fan of young men getting married during wartime because he believed that single men made better
Lodge 25, EnniS: The New Year’s Eve Place to Be!
Dear Readers,
SPJST Lodge 25, Ennis was the place to be this past New Year’s Eve! Members, guests, family, and friends gathered together to dance the night away with music by Ennis’ own Moravian Polka Band to ring in 2023! And, everyone sure did have a good time! The balloon drop at midnight was amazing - we all were popping balloons in hopes of getting a dollar bill or a ticket to win a t-shirt or drink. Of course, we all want good luck in the new year so we ate some delicious black-eyed peas and cornbread made by Debbie, Darren, and Anna Slovak. Thank you so much! I feel lucky already!
Our youth met on Sunday, January 8 and made some really cute valentines for S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Centers. We are beginning to collect soup cans at our lodge for the first quarter “Souper Bowl” charity project. I have our youth club calendar year 2023 mapped out sharing State Camp Kubena and Youth Showcase dates with our members and parents.
A new year is a time for new beginnings, and we are all looking forward to being a part of the exciting upcoming changes within the SPJST Youth Program.
Fraternally yours, Rita Holland, Youth Leader —SPJST— soldiers.
However, Bishop Valentine did not concur and performed many secret marriage ceremonies. When the Emperor discovered this, he sentenced the Bishop to death. While in prison, he fell in love with the jailor’s daughter and just before he was executed on February 14, he sent her a note signed - ‘From Your Valentine’ - a phrase that is still widely used today! In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius made it official by setting aside the day to honor St. Valentine and, a fun tradition was born!
Today . . .
Cards - Over 1 billion cards are sold and exchanged on Valentine’s Day worldwide making it one of the biggest days for greeting card companies, second only to Christmas, which takes the lead at 2.6 billion. It’s no wonder that the day is sometimes dubbed a “Hallmark Holiday.” Surprisingly though, a majority of the cards are purchased for teachers and children!
Flowers - Roses of course, are the preferred flowers of the day. Over 110 million roses exchange hands in the US alone, during the three day period around Valentine’s Day!
Candy - Chocolates first became popular in the 1800s when physicians routinely ‘prescribed’ them for their heart broken patients. Richard Cadbury, the heir to confectionery giant Cadbury’s pounced on the idea and began marketing chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Sure enough, they became popular not just for lost love, but also, as a way to show love. Today, Americans spend over $1 billion USD on chocolate - most of it encased inside the 35 million heartshaped boxes that are sold each year.
Also popular, are the candy conversation hearts. According to the candy companies, over 1 billion are sold each year - enough hearts to stretch from Rome, Italy, to Valentine, Arizona, more than 20 times!
XOXO
While it is common to express ‘kisses’ with the letter X, the origin of this symbol has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day or love. It is believed that it began during the medieval times, when witnesses who were illiterate signed their names with an ‘X’ and then kissed it to show their sincerity.
Letters To Juliet Are Real!
Believe it or not, the Italian town of Verona, where Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet was situated, is still thought of as special. Not only does the town hold a weeklong Valentine’s Day festival, it also, receives over 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet each year on this day! What’s even more fun is that just like the movie, the hard working women that are part of The Juliet Club actually respond to each one!
Lodge 185, New Braunfels Youth wins local Voice of Democracy Contest
Congratulations to Megan Ohnheiser of Lodge 185, New Braunfels! She was selected as the first place winner of the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest for her area. The program is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and “Why is the Veteran Important?” was this year’s theme. “I was awarded a certificate with the designation An Outstanding Young Spokesperson of the Future, a medal, and a college scholarship of $1,000 from VFW Post No. 9213,” she said.
Best Valentine’s Gift Ever
While there have probably been hundreds of thousands of romantic and extravagant gifts given out on this day, none can beat India’s Taj Mahal - built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz. This amazing structure is the epitome of true love! Source: Article by Meera Dolasia at https://www. dogonews.com/2012/2/14/happy-valentines-day —SPJST—
Valentine’s Day Jokes
What did one volcano say to another on Valentine’s Day? I lava you.
What did one lightbulb say to another lightbulb? I like you a watt.
What kind of flower do you never give on Valentine’s Day? Cauliflower.
Lodge 81, Needville youth create valentines for S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Center residents
Tripp Hargraves Nathan Hargraves
Nathan and Karen Hargraves Krystle Peterson, Tripp Hargraves
Dear Readers,
Our January challenge was to make valentines to send to the S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Center. We weaved hearts and drew cards with cute photos. I know they are going to love them! Fraternally yours, Tripp Hargraves, age 10 —SPJST—
How can you tell the calendar is popular? Because it has a lot of dates.
What do you call two birds in love? Tweet-hearts.
What did one pickle say to the other? You mean a great dill to me.
What did the ghost say to his girlfriend? You look Boo-tiful.
Do skunks celebrate Valentine’s Day? Yes! They’re very scent-imental.
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Peas. Peas who? Peas be my Valentine. —SPJST—
2022 SPJST Youth Clubs’ First Quarter Report
September • October • November District One
Total Lodge Name Attendance Disbursement 9 Snook 42 $84 17 New Tabor 77 $154 District One Average Attendance - 40
47 Seaton District Two
54
48 Beyersville
District Three
6 Cottonwood 6
25 Ennis 35
154 Fort Worth
18 District Three Average Attendance - 20
District Four
49 Rowena
81 Needville District Five
51 District Five Average Attendance - 17
30 Taiton District Six
44 District Six Average Attendance - 15
District Seven
79 Corpus Christi 18 107 Floresville 13 185 New Braunfels 60 202 Jourdanton 8 District Seven Average Attendance - 33 $108 0* $34
0* $70 $36
$48 $56
$102
$88
$36 0* $120 0*
State Quarter Average Attendance - 167
