Brother Steve Banjak lived his whole life believing in and supporting the ideals of the Sokol movement founded by Dr. Miroslav Tyrs in the Czech Republic and established by Ivan Branislav Zoch in Slovakia.
Brother Banjak was active in the gymnasium since he was introduced to Sokol when he was 14 years old; stopping only when his advanced age and health did not permit it. As President, he led our lodge for a period of 50 years to become one of the most successful lodges in the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol, USA. Brother Banjak also held almost every office in District Svatopluk, including President. In 1958 he was President of the Committee responsible for the very successful XIII Slet held in Cleveland, Ohio.
The lodge has unanimously voted to name this scholarship in his honor as a way to remember him for his many years of service to Sokol. The first recipient was announced at the 100th anniversary celebration of the lodge held at the Radisson Hotel on May 20, 2006.
The Scholarship is available for download by clicking the pdf link below. Applications are due to Sokol Lodge 103 in May of each year.
