Deadline is April 8 to apply for Huajilla Chapter scholarship

By Editor | March 13, 2024

Huajilla Unit TRTA members in attendance at the February meeting included (Front Row, L-R) Sandra Hall and Cindy Howard; and (Back Row, L-R) Betsy Polgue, Irene Dubberly, Earline Schlortt.

Thirty-seven members and guests of the Huajilla Chapter of Texas Retired Teachers Association met on February 26 and discussed the deadline of April 8 to apply for the chapter’s annual scholarship.

The meeting, held at Sammy’s Restaurant in Castroville, was the first for the group since December. Earline Schlortt, co-president, welcomed everyone and recognized current officers and past presidents of the chapter.

Jim Rigby offered the prayer and Irene Dubberly led the group in singing “Texas, Our Texas”. Since the group had not met since December, there were a number of birthdays to recognize and concerns to share about members’ health and other issues.

Maria Elizondo, chapter treasurer, reported on account balances, including all expenditures and deposits. Elaine Neuman, who was recognized as new member of the year, will be the new chairperson of the scholarship committee. She announced that all area high school counselors have been notified of the scholarship opportunity that the Huajilla chapter offers and the April 8 deadline for scholarship applications.

Following the deadline and after receiving all applications, the scholarship committee will then meet to determine the recipients. Those students will then be invited to attend the April meeting of the Huajilla chapter. As in years past, member Gerry Bridges has contributed generously to the scholarship fund, as well as many chapter members.

Committee reports included a reminder about Super Tuesday elections, the continued effort to document volunteer hours performed by chapter members, and health and wellness messages sent out by the state organization concerning driver safety. In addition, First Vice President Irene Dubberly reported that currently, the official membership total includes 221 members; 192 of those have paid state dues only and not local dues. The goal is to include as many official members as possible in local TRTA activities. Schlortt, Dubberly, and co-president Marianne Garrett, attended a district meeting in February, at which time the Huajilla chapter was awarded a check to recognize and continue membership growth.

April activities for Huajilla members will include the state convention in Corpus Christi on April 15-17. This event will be attended by Marianne Garrett, Earline Schlortt, Irene Dubberly, Dottie Wolff, and Elaine Neuman. In addition, officer elections will be held to replace several of the current officers.

AMBA representative Deanna Baucom announced a new effort to bring new members into the group. Any current member who brings a new member to a meeting will get a free lunch, as well as the new member having their first year of TRTA membership paid for.

Members then memorialized teachers, retirees, or close family members who had passed away during the previous year. Those remembered were Anna Lee Strait, Linda Stanton, Eddy Havel, Morris Stevens, Katherine Willems-Darter, Tom Zuberbueler, Frances Bippert, Raul Champion, Eileen Hendriks Wright, Jackie Stoner, and Connie Keilman Hohan.

The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m. and attendees enjoyed lunch together.

The next meeting will be held Monday, March 25 at Neal’s Restaurant in Concan.

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