CDA Court No. 1962 Meets, Presents Awards And Installs New Officers

Court Annunciation No. 1962 of La Grange and Plum, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, held its May 27 meeting at the Sacred Heart Parish - Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz Center. The evening began with an annual social at 6 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with opening prayers, especially remembering recently deceased member Bernice Guettler for whom the Charter was draped. Pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags were recited.

On behalf of all the members, Financial Secretary Marilyn Kothmann presented Regent Shirly Antosh her Past Regents pin, thanking her for her four years of service as Regent of Court Annunciation No. 1962.

In addition to the regular reports, business from the floor, and announcements, several presentations took place throughout the meeting along with election and installation of the Court’s 20242026 officers.

On behalf of the CDA Texas State Court, Elizabeth Kallus and Stacy Ryza, Court Annunciation No. 1962 Scholarship Committee Co-Chairmen, presented Texas State Court Memorial Scholarships to four winners the Court had sponsored. Elizabeth read the congratulatory letter from State Memorial Scholarship Chairman Rebecca Brown and introduced the winners and their qualifying CDA members (who are their mothers), while Stacy presented the scholarships to La Grange High School graduates Reece Nygren, $1,750; Jose Estrada III, $1,000; and unable to attend was Haylie Cooper, $1,250. Also, unable to attend was Wylie High School in Abilene graduate Madelyn Kates, $1,000.

Education Contest Chairman Rita Sulik shared the news that the Court had received notification of having six winners at the CDA State Education Contest level and they were all present at the meeting to receive their certificates and award winnings; and the first place State entries were sent to be judged in the CDA National Education Contest. The winners were as follows: Division 2 (Grades 6-7-8) - 3rd Place Art, Madison Markwardt; 1st Place Computer Art, Jaycee Zapalac. Division 3 (Grades 9-10-11-12) - 2nd Place Art, Ella Nygren; 1st Place Photography, Jaylia Lucio. Division 4 (Adult CDA Members) 2nd Place Art, Robin Zapalac; 1st Place Photography, Robin Zapalac.

As a charitable project, members brought donations for AMEN food pantry and representatives Mary Vasek and Linda Oltmann were present to receive the items and a monetary donation from the Court. An annual donation was made to the Court’s Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas with JCDA Counselor Becky Munsch accepting the gift. A donation to help defray the cost of t-shirts for the June 10-13 Vacation Bible School at Sacred Heart Parish in La Grange was accepted by Griselda Albiter, Sacred Heart Religious Education Coordinator.

Regent Antosh congratulated members and announced the eleven (11) CDA Circle of Love Texas State Contest awards won by the Court for the CDA year Feb. 1, 2023 -Feb. 1, 2024. In Category V, First Place awards for Family, JCDA, and Memorial Scholarship Fund; Second Place awards for Legislation, Spiritual Enhancement, Leadership, Youth, and Education. In Established Websites-First Place. In Category V, Division I-Second Place Local Court Newsletter. In Category IX, Division II (JCDA) - First Place Local Court Newsletter.

Elected as Court Officers for the 2024-2026 term were Regent Sherry Hebert, Vice Regent Marilyn Kothmann, Recording Secretary Carolyn Weishuhn, Financial Secretary Shirley Antosh, and Treasurer Dawna Faldyn. Installation of the newly elected officers took place immediately following the meeting with District Eleven Deputy Rosa Galipp of Schulenburg being the Installing Officer.