SPJST YOUTH SECTION

Register now for SPJST Summer Camp!

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

SPJST will host one state camp session this summer beginning Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Camp Kubena in Ledbetter, Texas. The session will be open to SPJST members and non-members, pending availability.

SPJST youth members who will be in first through 12th grade as of September 1, 2023, are eligible to attend. Activities will be age-specific for both teens/leaders-in-training and juniors, and programs will run parallel during the camp session.

Registration for members opens on

February 15 and closes when filled or on May 1. Camper slots are first come, first served and a waiting list will be created, if necessary. The fee for youth members is $335. The fee for youth who have attended at least seven lodge/youth club meetings between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, is $125, which includes a $25 non-refundable registration fee. Fees will be prorated for youth who have attended less than seven meetings.

Pending available slots, camp registration for non-members will open on March 15. The fee is $450, which includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

All fees must be paid by June 1. Fees (except non-refundable registration fees) are refundable until June 6.

Camperships (Camp Scholarships) What are Camperships?

Through the generosity of our donors, SPJST is able to offer camp scholarships (camperships) to individuals and families in financial need. The Campership funds make it possible for children and families to attend camp regardless of their ability to pay.

Donating to Camperships

Will you help us make this the best summer ever for an SPJST camper this year? Lodges and members are encouraged to help youth in need experience a fantastic summer opportunity. There are several ways to give to our campership program: donate online at spjst.org/camp or send your donation to SPJST c/o Summer Camp, PO Box 100, Temple, TX 765030100.

Applying for a Campership

Financial assistance is based on the United States poverty guideline. The application form may be found at spjst.org/camp or contact the State Fraternal Director at 254534-0681. Mail your completed application to SPJST State Fraternal Director, PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503-0100. After you have been approved for a camper-

District One Youth Visit Mr. Gatti’s

ship, you may register online with your financial deposit.

For more information about SPJST Summer Camp, visit spjst.org/camp or contact State Fraternal Director Frank Horak at frankh@spjst.com or 254-7751575, ext. 177 or Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez at tammym@spjst.com or 254-773-1575, ext. 164.

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, District One held an outing at Mr. Gatti’s in Brenham, Texas. Youth from Snook and New Tabor Youth Clubs had an afternoon filled with games and pizza. A good time was had by all!

District Five youth to host night at the ballpark on May 13 in Sugar Land

Dear Readers,

Are you a fan of our nation’s favorite pastime, baseball?

Come join District Five Youth Club, and enjoy a night at the ballpark on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Constellation Field in Sugar Land will open at 5 p.m. Join us for an evening of food and fun. This event is for any youth club member and young-at-heart.

You will receive complimentary admission into the game and a $15 voucher for food and drinks in the park. A parking pass will also be included for each family.

Complete the Google form using the QR code on the flyer to sign up. We will no longer take sign-ups after April 18. Hope to see you there! Go, Space Cowboys!^

Kristen Jones District Five Youth Counselor —SPJST—

Lodge 30, Taiton youth to compete at regional powerlifting meet

Dear Vestnik Readers,

On Saturday, February 19, 2023, I competed in a powerlifting meet at Ganado High School. I placed third out of my weight class and will advance to regionals! Overall, I had a great time and can’t wait to compete at regionals! Sincerely, Bethany Baker, age 16 —SPJST—

Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club shares March meeting scenes

Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club met Sunday, March 5, 2023. Meeting topics were garage sale to raise money for transportation to camp and hotel stays for the State Youth Showcase on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29. Our fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 15. If anyone has donations, please contact

Rita by calling 469-337-2284.

The Souper Bowl campaign ends March 31. If anyone has soup to donate, let Rita know as well. We discussed St. Patrick and made “Lucky Penny Banks.” Everyone enjoyed the craft, and we decided that Kalynn’s was the most unique with a flower design on the lid.

Lodge 47, Seaton youth ready for spring break, March activities

Dear Vestnik Readers, I cannot wait till Saint Patrick’s Day. I get off from school because it will be spring break. Sorry people that must work. It is March. YAY. I was sick so I did not have to go to school for two days. YAY. I just had my last basketball game yesterday. We won. YAY! Do not worry, I got a trophy for it! Let me count how many trophies I have! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8! Well, not all 8 are trophies. A few of them are medals, too.

Update!

By the way, I had to dance with a girl. My mom asked me to dance so I danced with her.

Bye, it’s time to go.

Andrew Ordogne,

age 7 —SPJST—

After the meeting, we played the “Leprechaun and Fairy Freeze Tag” game.

The next meeting and Easter egg hunt will be Sunday, April 2. Fraternally, Rita Holland, Youth Leader —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton youth ready for spring break

Dear Vestnik Readers,

In two weeks, it will be spring break. I cannot wait because that is a whole week off from school. I’m planning on going to my grandparents’ house for spring break. There, I could spend the whole week in the country. Spring will start soon. It’s been feeling a lot warmer recently, which I like. I hate the cold weather because I feel miserable. Luckily, during the spring, there’s not that much cold weather.

Last week, it was Read Across America week at school. There was a book fair, and we got to have a bunch of cool dress-up days. Unfortunately, we also had to take two tests at school that week. It was not very fun. Luckily, this was the last test for a while. The next major test I will have are the STAAR tests. This year, I will have to take reading, math, and science. STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. In other words, it tests to see if you’ve learned anything during the year. I’m pretty sure that’ll be next month.

Have a great March!

Fraternally, Travis Ordogne, age 11 —SPJST—

Lodge 49, Rowena youth win Prom King, Queen

We discussed the changes in the SPJST Youth Program, for instance, the State Youth Showcase (State YAD) being two days in Temple on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29.

We collected monies for the 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive, and the youth club is matching the proceeds.

Since it’s been awhile that we had a face-to-face meeting, I was finally able to distribute monies to Ryan and Megan Ruzicka from the 2022 District Three YAD as well as the photography pictures to Josh and Kalyne Tucker.

We participated in the Souper Bowl community service project and collected - with the mother lodge - more than 2,700 ounces of soup! Yea for us being that both the mother lodge and youth club are a smaller group now.

Next Meeting—March 19

Our next meeting will be at Sokol Dallas (7448 Greenville Avenue) for an Easter party that we are joining with KJT and KJZT on Sunday, March 19. A Catholic mass will start at 11 a.m. followed by the guest appearance of the Easter Bunny. Bring your baskets for there will be an egg hunt filled with lots of fun. A catered lunch and social time filled with a jam session with Laddie (he said that if anyone has a musical instrument for you to bring it and join together to create enjoyable music)!

If you plan to be there for lunch, you must RSVP for a count to Dorothy Prasifka at 214-500-2338 by March 15 so she can add you to her list.

I hope to see more youth attending so we can include you in our upcoming events for 2023.

Hopping (ha ha) to see ya soon! Fraternally, Lynda Novak, Youth Leader —SPJST—

Lodge 84, Dallas Youth Club Members learn the art of rosette-making

Lodge

Tanner

Lodge 84, Dallas Youth Leader shares updates

Dear Readers,

Hope everyone is well and coping with this wild Texas weather! It’s been a whirlwind of a winter.

The youth of Lodge 84, Dallas joined in with the mother lodge this month (instead of Zoom, FaceTime, or just a phone call) on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

But we are still attending and participating in all of our activities which make this Youth Leader very proud! Thanks to everyone for your patience and timing to keep our club going. I know with the club members getting older, we may soon be moving our youth either to colleges or to other careers. But I’m hoping they continue with the adults and keep SPJST strong!

After our meeting, we had the pleasure of learning how to make rosettes! It first started with Ray Faraizl, Sr. explaining while Charlie Nemec demonstrated what Ray was saying. After we watched the adults, we had our chance to prove our skills as well. I think they turned out great for our svacina (a snack) afterwards! Thank you Ray, Charlie, and Kathy. We had fun learning in the kitchen!

Lodge 187, round rock youth make valentines

Lodge 84, Dallas Youth Club members are taught how to make rosettes. Ray Faraizl, Sr. and Charlie Nemec explained and demonstrated the art of rosette-making. The rosettes made a great svacina (a snack) afterwards! Thank you, Ray Faraizl, Sr. and Charlie and Kathy Nemec. All had fun learning in the kitchen!

—Submitted by Lynda Novak Youth Leader

Lodge 187, Round members made valentines for the rest home residents. TOP LEFT

PHOTO: Kember Meyer,

Eva, and Kadnce Meyer prepare the materials for creating the Valentine’s Day cards. TOP RIGHT: Mathieu McCarthy, Kember Meyer, Eva, Karter Meyer, and Kadnce Meyer decorate the cards. LEFT: Gift-baggie treats for the youth.

—Jennifer McCarthy,