SPJST award-winning producers receive recognition for year's work

Million Dollar Producers SPJST 2007 District 6 Million Dollar Producers recognized during the annual banquet are (front, l-r) Minerva Garcia, El Campo-Hillje Lodge No. 40; Charles and Yvonne Garrett, FIC, Placedo, Lodge No. 97, (back) Mike Ahlstrom, FIC, Victoria Lodge No. 32; Judy Peter, Taiton Lodge No. 30; Silvia Perry, Victoria Lodge No. 32 and Sheldon Holub, FIC, El Campo-Hillje Lodge No. 40. Minerva Garcia, Charles Garrett, Silvia Perry and Sheldon Holub were also District 6 top producers in the various categories of applications written, insurance written, and earned premium. In addition, Career Agent Silvia Perry and Associate Agent Sheldon Holub each took state top honors in the highest overall combined production in these three categories. Contributed Photos

The 15th Annual SPJST Lodge Recognition and Incentive Awards Banquet was held Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center in Killeen. SPJST's Rhythm '07 membership campaign was accomplished successfully in 2007 and numerous awards and incentive prizes were given during the day.

The SPJST organization is divided into seven The SPJST organization is divided districts statewide. District 6 includes Hallettsville, Weimar, Shiner, Velehrad, Moravia, East Bernard, Victoria, Port Lavaca, Sweet Home, Placedo, Inez, El Maton, LaSalle, Moulton, Bay City, Palacios, Goliad and Gonzales with local lodges being Taiton, El Campo-Hillje and Wharton.

An opening ceremony was held at 1:30 p.m. with SPJST President Brian Vanicek giving the welcome address. Among the supreme lodge officers, directors, employees and state field representatives, District 6 State Field Representative Karen Kaspar, FIC, CFFM, was recognized.

Several District 6 lodges received incentive awards. Local lodges recognized were Lodge No. 40 El Campo-Hillje, Lodge No. 30 Taiton and Lodge No. 151 Wharton. Lodge No. 40 was recognized as the Sapphire Award Winner for enrolling 75 or more members and completing specified fraternal requirements. Winner of the Gold Award went to Lodge 30 for enrolling 25 or more members within the specified fraternal requirements. Lodge 151 took home the First Step Award for having six or more new members and performing the specified fraternal requirements.

Honors Bestowed During the SPJST awards banquet, District 6 State Field Representative Karen Kaspar, FIC, CFFM, congratulates 2007 Consistency Club Honorees (l-r): Sheldon Holub, FIC, El Campo-Hillje Lodge No. 40; Silvia Perry, Victoria Lodge No. 32 and J. C. Kocurek, El Campo-Hillje Lodge No. 40.

SPJST Vice President Gene McBride talked about the accomplishments and

the growth of the company from last year's Rhythm '07 campaign. Melanie Zavodny, Vestnik editor, then assisted McBride with the following awards presentations.

Carmen Kocurek, No. 40, was congratulated for winning the 2007 overall top recruiter award. Local sales agents were congratulated on their district's individual accomplishments.

District 6 top producer award winners in the associate agent category were Minerva Garcia, No. 40, for most applications written; Charles Garrett, FIC, Placedo Lodge No. 97, for most insurance written and Sheldon Holub, FIC, No. 40, for most earned premiums. District 6 agents winning the career agent distinction were Silvia Perry, Victoria Lodge No. 32, for most applications written and for most insurance written and Susan Watzlavick, Shiner Lodge No. 10, for most earned premiums. Watzlavick was also the state overall top producer for the most earned premium category.

Top Recruiter Carmen Kocurek, (center) of El Campo-Hillje Lodge No. 40 wins the 2007 State Overall Top Recruiter for SPJST. She is congratulated by Cynthia Hutka, Temple home office; District 6 Director Mike Ahlstrom, Vice President Gene McBride and Frank Horak, Temple home office.

Special recognition was also given to Million Dollar Producers in insurance sales for the past year including District 6 agents Judy Peter, No. 30; Sheldon Holub, FIC, No. 40; Minerva Garcia, No. 40, Silvia Perry and Michael Ahlstrom, FIC, No. 32 and Charles Garrett, FIC. No. 97.

J.C. Kocurek, No. 40, received the Consistency Club Award for writing two or more applications each month during the year. Holub and Silvia Perry were also recognized and awarded the Consistency Club Award for writing three or more applications each month during the year.

SPJST Idols were awarded prizes for being top in the state with an overall combined production in earned premium, insurance issued and applications written. Winning in the associate's category was Holub, who was fifth in the state. The career category winners were Perry, fifth in state, and Watzlavick, who was eighth in the state.

On an annual basis since 1987, SPJST has honored outstanding fraternalists. This is given to someone who demonstrates exceptional service to the lodge and community. Local lodges select their Fraternalist of the Year who are in turn considered for the statewide recognition.

Local lodge dedicated members earning this distinction were Debbie Krpec, No. 30 and J. C. Kocurek No. 40.

The SPJST youth program has been an integral part of the SPJST organization's overall success during 2007. Youth leaders and district youth counselors were awarded for accomplishing goals and quotas from the Rhythm '07 campaign. Recognized were District 6 youth counselor Marcy Dorotik and assistant District 6 youth counselor Lisa Bubela. District 6 was also recognized with a district youth club award. Youth leader awards went to Bubela, No. 30, and Debbie Sczech, No. 40.

The El Campo-Hillje youth club also took the top youth club award for District 6 and the state overall top youth club award.