Ukrainian American Youth Association holds 38th annual "Zlet" (07/20/97)

Ukrainian American Youth Association holds 38th annual "Zlet"

by Orest Kozicky

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - The Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) sponsored its 38th consecutive annual "Zlet" on May 24-25 here at its upstate New York resort.

Zlet is the annual spring festival for youth that presents the opportunity to exhibit the fruits of projects completed by local youth groups, to engage in competitions testing SUM-A members' knowledge about various aspects of Ukrainian history and cultural traditions, and to perform with dance, bandura and drama ensembles in a talent-contest-type forum.

There were also individual and team sports competitions that included obstacle course races, as well as tournaments in volleyball and soccer.

Youths also had an opportunity to socialize at a barbecue and a dance before spending the night in the new barracks and adjacent tents.

During the course of Zlet, the SUM-ivtsi took part in a liturgy celebrated by Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Basil Losten of Stamford, Conn. A formal review of the SUM-ivtsi ranks arranged as individual UAYA branches from various cities was also conducted, with scoring based on adherence to the UAYA uniform dress code.

Although the Zlet held at the Ellenville campsite involves only the 11 UAYA branches along the Eastern Seaboard, there were 438 youth participants ranging from age 4 through 17. The continued growth of the UAYA is reflected by the participation of 55 SUM-eniata age 3-5. This year the responsibility for coordinating and conducting Zlet was undertaken by members of the branch from Passaic. The commander was Orest Rusynko, who together with the Passaic contingent began making preparations several months earlier. The tremendous effort of the organizers was reflected in the flawless and exceptionally methodical coordination of all aspects of this Zlet.

The Yonkers branch took first place for over-all points achieved for the sixth consecutive year while the Passaic branch was close behind in second place. The New York branch earned third place.

For the second consecutive year Adriana Rudyk from Yonkers won the first-place trophy for most points in the 13-17 age group. The top trophy for the 6-12 age group went to Diana Diduch from Passaic.

UAYA President Yurij Nakonechny closed the awards ceremonies by expressing his gratitude to Mr. Rusynko and the Passaic contingent as well as to all of the SUM-ivtsi for their participation in another successful Zlet.

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