THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (09/06/98)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Dedication to community and education characterizes the new Miss Soyuzivka

Renata Kosc is Miss Soyuzivka 1998: chosen during festive weekend

Young UNAers participate in Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church parish picnic

Soyuzivka: a one-of-a-kind resort for families and friends
by Deborah Carter Hrycak

Young UNA'ers

Correction

Dedication to community and education characterizes the new Miss Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Renata Kosc of Cleveland, the 23-year-old Miss Soyuzivka 1999 will undoubtedly bring honor to her title. It is no surprise that the judges were impressed with her bright smile, beautiful Ukrainian language, abounding talents and achievements.

Miss Kosc is presently a youth counselor in Plast and belongs to the Plast society Orlykivtsi. The Orlykivtsi run an Orlykiada, an annual academic competition, based on a given theme, one weekend in November at Soyuzivka. Plast youths from various branches compete against each other in activities ranging from a battle of the minds, extensive projects and displays relevant to the theme to humorous skits. Miss Kosc was also instrumental in organizing Orlykiada in Ukraine. She is a catechist at St. Pokrova Church and plays the bandura. She also spent one year studying abroad at the University of Lviv where she focused on international relations.

In May Miss Kosc received her B.A.with honors from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in economics and political science. She has also studied at the Political Science Institute in Strasbourg, France; the René Cassin International Institute of Human Rights; and at the Université Laval, where she obtained a certificate in French. Her academic accomplishments have not gone unnoticed: she received the Phi Beta Kappa award, she was a Rhodes Scholarship finalist; her name has been published in Who's Who Among Students; she has received Dean's High Honors; and she was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics honor society).

While at university, Miss Kosc kept herself quite busy with extracurricular activities, as well. She was a member of the first American team to participate in the francophone Jean Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition held in Malta. She participated in Model United Nations, "First Delegate Among Equals", was a college radio programmer for WRUW, and played the clarinet and bass clarinet in Symphonic Winds. She continues to belong to the Ballroom Dance Society.

Miss Kosc has been employed at the International Law Center at CWRU and has worked as a research assistant and in the publication of a journal at the Center for Regional Economic Issues. She was also a research assistant at the International Center for Education, Science and Culture in Lviv.

Miss Kosc plans to earn a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University plans to continue research on law and economics.in Ukraine.

Renata Kosc is Miss Soyuzivka 1998: chosen during festive weekend

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - From buffets to performances to dances, Soyuzivka hosted hundreds of guests during Miss Soyuzivka weekend on Friday, August 14, through Sunday, August 16. On Saturday night, Soyuzivka guests and the eight talented contestants competing for the title of Miss Soyuzivka 1999 eagerly awaited the results of the contest. Renata Kosc of Cleveland was chosen as the new Miss Soyuzivka, and Daria Loun and Marianna German tied for second place, while Martha Tatarevich took third place.

The weekend began with a new tradition - Odesa Night. The guests enjoyed a seafood buffet on the Veselka Patio. They were entertained by the Vidlunnia Orchestra, composed of Gregory Hrynovets, Yurij Martiak and Andrij Solodenko.

Later the Midnight Bigus Band entertained guests in the Trembita Lounge. The band consists of Roman Iwasiwka, Andrij Sonevytsky, John A. Flis, Adrian Pysariwsky, Pete Strutynsky and Larry Balestra. Walter "Zuki" Moisiak was missing, but extra Bigus Brothers, Slavko Halatyn and Roman Wasylyk, performed in his place. Bigus and bread were served to the hungry guests at the show.

The Saturday evening festivities began with a concert by lyric soprano Luba Shchibchik, accompanied by Maryna Rohozhyna. The mistress of ceremonies for the evening's events was Marianka Wasylyk, who introduced the honored guests, including Ukrainian National Association President Ulana Diachuk and her husband, Wolodymyr.

Later the audience was entertained by Zolota Bulava of Montreal, while the judges for the Miss Soyuzivka contest gathered to perform their duties.

The judges were: Alex Chudolij, UNA advisor; Vasyl Hrechynsky, director of the Dumka Choir; and Sofia Semanyszyn, office manager at Soyuzivka. The coordinator of the event was Stefanie Hawryluk, longtime Soyuzivka employee and UNA advisor.

The Miss Soyuzivka 1999 contestants were:

Miss Soyuzivka - Renata Kosc, 23, was born in Cleveland and is a UNA Branch 240 member. She is a member of Plast. She ran her own radio program geared towards promoting Ukrainian culture to non-Ukrainians. Miss Kosc is a Rhodes Scholar finalist, took part in the International Humanitarian Law Competition and is an honors graduate of Case Western Reserve University in economics and political science. If the Kosc name sounds familiar, it's because her sister Tanya was Miss Soyuzivka 1997.
Second place - Daria Loun, 22, was born in Lviv and is a member of UNA Branch 315. She is a student at Manor College and is involved with the TV program "Kontakt" in Philadelphia.
Second place - Marianna German, 17, was born in Lviv and is a member of UNA Branch 267. Miss German is active in Plast. Her interests include the piano and the theater, and she attends Miss Porters' School.
Third place - Martha Tatarevich, 18, was born in Kolomyia, Ukraine. Miss Tatarevich is a UNA Branch 315 member. As a member of the Ukrainian Club at St. George Academy she raised money for Chornobyl. She sings in the Promin choir and is a UNA scholarship recipient.

Other contestants included:

Maria Loun, 22, was born in Lviv and is a member of UNA Branch 315. Miss Loun works in the Ukrainian Center in Philadelphia. She draws, paints, and weaves traditional Ukrainian rugs.
Vera Malynovska, 18, was born in Zolochiv, Ukraine and is a UNA Branch 170 member. Miss Malynovska participates in her school and church choir, as well as in sports.
Tanya Singura, 24, was born in Rahway, N.J. She is a member of UNA Branch 88. Miss Singura is a graduate of Rider University; is president of newly created UNA Branch 911 and runs the Soyuzivka website.
Olena Vashenko, 18, was born in Kyiv and is a member of UNA Branch 88. She currently volunteers at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and is interested in drawing and historic novels.

Outgoing Miss Soyuzivka Stephanie Chaban crowned Ms. Kosc as Miss Soyuzivka 1999. After much congratulating and picture-taking, the new Miss Soyuzivka and her court, along with the other contestants and guests, danced the night away.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, and the Soyuzivka management, Ms. Semanyszyn said: "We would like to thank each individual young lady for coming out and participating in this year's event. We, the judges, had a difficult time with this year's selection because as we met each young lady the decision became harder and harder."

"All the girls should be commended on their knowledge of the Ukrainian language, the Ukrainian National Association, Soyuzivka and life in Ukraine. We were amazed by their interests and hobbies. It was a pleasure and we really enjoyed our interviews with them."

The weekend closed with a lottery and concert held on Sunday by the Ukrainian National Women's League of America New York Regional Council.

Young UNAers participate in Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church parish picnic

AKRON, Ohio - Tetyana, Sophia and Zachary Bissel, members of UNA Branch 180, show off their UNA T-shirts at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Parish Picnic, which took place on July 19. Sunny skies, delicious food, good company, lively music and an abundance of raffle prizes including books and T-shirts donated by the UNA all contributed to another successful event. Tanya, Sophika and Zacky are the children of David and Katya (Martyniuk) Bissell and the grandchildren of the late Dr. Eugene and Olena Martyniuk of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Soyuzivka: a one-of-a-kind resort for families and friends

by Deborah Carter Hrycak

Our family has just returned from a wonderful week at Soyuzivka, and my husband and I are watching our children enjoy their new CD, "Barabolya". Having had such a relaxing cultural week, we are dismayed to think of the possible closing of Soyuzivka.

As a non-Ukrainian mother, it's very important to me that my children be exposed to as much of their father's heritage as possible. Soyuzivka offers a unique cultural program for mixed-heritage families.

My son, Alex, has attended Chemney Camp for the past two years. Each year he has come home with more Ukrainian words in his vocabulary (and I have, too).

Hutsul Night exposes us to traditional music and dance. Also, seeing everyone dress in their Ukrainian embroidered shirts adds to the ambiance. My son balks at wearing his Ukrainian tie until he sees fellow campers with theirs. Then, it all clicks.

But Soyuzivka is special also because it is a safe haven for families to go on vacation. The enclosed atmosphere provides security for the whole family. It is a one-of-a-kind resort, and I highly recommend it.

My husband, son and daughter are members of UNA Branch 287. Now I am joining, too.

Young UNA'ers

The Woronowycz cousins are the newest members of the UNA. Jeremy (Yarema) Michael Woronowycz (left), the son of Orest and Laurianne Woronowycz of Auburn Hills, Mich., was enrolled by his parents as a new member of UNA Branch 175 in Detroit, Mich. Ivanna Maria Voronovych (right) was enrolled by her parents as a new member of UNA Branch 76 in Newark, N.J. Ivanna is the daughter of Viktoria and Roman Woronowycz. Mr. Woronowycz is the Kyiv editor of The Ukrainian Weekly.
Alexander George Voronovich (right) and Victoria Sophia Voronovich (left) are the son and daughter of George and Donna Woronowycz of Waterford, Mich., and were enrolled by their parents as new members of Branch 175 in Detroit, Mich.
Chloe Nicole Diakiwsky is the daughter of Rachel and Nicholas Diakiwsky. The new member of UNA Branch 161 in Ambridge, Pa. was enrolled by her father.

Correction

In last week's story about the new UNA Heritage Plan, it should have been noted that it is only the $2,000 minimum Whole-Life Single-Premium policy that does not require a medical exam. Other amounts are subject to the UNA's regular underwriting requirements.

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