UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

How my "matura" paid off!

by Stephen Vitvitsky

When someone mentions Saturday morning, three things come to mind: enjoying a bowl of Lucky Charms while sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons; sleeping in until lunch time; and, of course, Ukrainian school, which is the last thing a kid wants to do on Saturday morning. Waking up early to your mother telling you, "get up or you will be late!" - well, it's not exactly the ideal way to start your weekend.

Most children wonder what good "Uke school" will do for them, and why they have to attend. The obvious reasons are: Mom and Dad say you have to go, it makes your grandparents happy, and it's an opportunity to hang out with your Ukrainian friends whom you might not see on a regular basis (possibly the only reason that kids might buy).

I remember thinking to myself: Why do I have to do this? Couldn't I just learn all this from my Baba? I probably could have, but finishing Ukrainian school and passing the "matura" (the comprehinsive final exam) turned out to be much more beneficial.

Two months ago, I found out that I could take a small examination in the Slavic department at my university in order to test my proficiency in Ukrainian. Big deal you say? I was also told that I could get course credits for knowing Ukrainian because I attended a school and took Ukrainian classes. In other words, I would not have been able to get credits if I had learned Ukrainian only from my grandmother.

Unfortunately, my university does not offer Ukrainian as a language, so my exam consisted of a half-hour-long conversation with a teaching assistant of Russian who also spoke Ukrainian. It was not a difficult test - almost any Ukrainian American could pass it with flying colors.

Regarding knowledge of the language, the difference between those who do and those who do not attend Ukrainian school may or may not be significant, depending on how one uses the Ukrainian language. For example, there is an obvious difference between only speaking Ukrainian in one's home and using Ukrainian to discuss literary topics, read and write. The latter requires a larger vocabulary and better command of the language. Most of us learn to speak Ukrainian primarily at home, so that is something we all have in common; but what sets the Ukrainian school graduates apart from the rest of the crowd is that they can offer a transcript from academic courses in Ukrainian.

By displaying my fluency, I was able to fulfill any language requirements that I had remaining and I received 16 credits (this translates into about a full semester's worth of credits). Plus, those credits were only for knowing the language; I may yet be able to take a literary examination, which would give me even more credits.

Keep in mind that not all schools are the same, which means that some might not allow this sort of testing. Nevertheless, most universities that do not already offer Ukrainian will be able to offer something if you talk to the right people. For instance, it took me almost two years of running around in circles before I came across an obscure Foreign Language Test Conversion Department.

Just by sacrificing your Saturday mornings during your four years in high school, you not only have the chance to take more electives in college that you might not otherwise have been able to take, you will have more leeway and time in deciding on a major.

There's also the possibility that your parents could save thousands of dollars, which I am sure would make them glad.

Stephen Vitvitsky completed the "matura" and graduated from the Lesia Ukrainka School of Ukrainian Studies in Morris County, N.J., in 1997. He is currently attending the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he is majoring in economics and art.

Parma students win essay contest

PARMA, Ohio - Four students of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic School were chosen as winners in an essay contest sponsored by the nationally known Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron, Ohio. Thirty students in all were chosen from a 10-county area.

SJS winners are Orysia Gudz, Alex Moysaenko, Christopher Oseredczuk and Markian Zyga. Each SJS student used his or her Ukrainian heritage as the basis for an essay on the topic "Why I Am Proud to Be an American."

Students were videotaped at the theater delivering their essays, and the film will be presented during the course of the original production "American Jubilee," a patriotic flashback to run for three months this summer at the theater. The students and their parents are to be guests of the theater for a performance.

Ridna Shkola pupils send greetings

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The youngest schoolchildren of the Ridna Shkola (School of Ukrainian Studies) in this city, located just across the Hudson River from New York, were among those who colored pysanky and sent them to The Ukrainian Weekly. Afterwards they sent us photos of their classes and asked us to convey greetings to fellow readers of Ukelodeon. Seen in the photo on the left are pupils of the pre-school: (from left) Jessica Demianycz, Andrijko Malynovsky and (straining to reach the top of the blackboard) Stepan Woch. Above are kindergartners and first graders: (from left) Markian Blazejowski, David Demianycz, Bohdon Woch, Marusia Hrynchynska and Christine Sulyk. As the school year comes to an end, Ukelodeon wishes these students and all other readers a fun summer.

"We are science past, you are science future"

by Lev Horodyskyj

PHILADELPHIA - The Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia teemed with 1,200 of the best and brightest science students from across the United States and 47 countries during the week of May 2-8. This year the International Science and Engineering Fair celebrated its 50th anniversary in the city of its birth. As one of the grand award winners at this year's Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair, I was among the participants in these "Science Olympics."

Presiding at the opening ceremonies was none other than Benjamin Franklin himself. He brought along a few friends: Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Darwin and Einstein. As his powerful words rang out in the Mann Theater for the Performing Arts, an expectant stillness came over the audience. Franklin said: "We are science past, you are science future." These words made us realize that the world is in our care. We are responsible for making new medical breakthroughs, preserving the Earth and discovering new astronomical phenomena. It is an awesome responsibility.

Though most of the week was spent assembling projects, presenting them to the scientific review board and undergoing a full day of rigorous judging, there was some time for fun and relaxation. During the welcoming party at Penn's Landing on the Delaware River, students from around the globe had a chance to meet others with the same interests. Other activities included a historic tour of Philadelphia, and visits to Ellis lsland, the Statue of Liberty and the Audubon Mansion. Student mixers were the place to exchange ideas (and pins) and make new friends.

Being of Ukrainian heritage, one of the highlights for me personally was meeting two fellow student scientists from Kyiv, Ukraine. Their project on reducing carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles using a new catalyst was awarded a third place in team projects. They worked very hard and overcame many obstacles to take part in this competition. What a surprise it must have been for them to meet a fellow student who spoke their language!

As the event wound down, it was a real thrill for me to present my scientific research to local elemetary and high school students. It was exciting to see so much interest in science among students of my own generation. Their inquisitiveness really intrigued me. My project also seemed to catch the eye of many foreign journalists, including those from Japan, the Philippines, Brazil and Thailand.

All too soon the inevitable end approached. Four long years of my research on earthquake resistance would soon culminate in the grand awards ceremony. Student projects were divided into 15 categories, starting with behavioral sciences and ending with zoology. I sat nervously, recalling all the time I had spent perfecting my project, all the sacrifices I had made, all the sleepless nights. Would it be worth it in the end? Would it all pay off? Then, I heard my name: Lev Horodyskyj, third place in engineering.

As I made my way up onto the stage, knees wobbling with excitement, I felt very honored. I also received a third place award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and a first place from the U.S. Department of Commerce Patent and Trademark Office. However, the greatest reward for me was having my work recognized by a group of distinguished scientists and professors. Who knows, maybe one day my research into earthquake-resistant construction will help save lives all over the world.

The week at the science fair challenged us to stretch our minds beyond their accustomed limits. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Each one of us walked away with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, ready to face other challenges as we continue our pursuit of knowledge.

Lev Horodyskyj, 16, was class valedictorian of his graduating class of 248 students at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio. In the fall he will enter Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he will study astrophysics/planetary and space sciences and international relations.

Check it out!

On page 5 of this issue, in the "Ukrainian National Association Forum" section, read about a hot new kids' production called "Barabolya." It's an audio recording - and it's a live show that has been touring cities in Canada and the United States. Perhaps Barabolya will come to your town.

Plast "novachky" learn about "Respecting Our Earth"

WHIPPANY, N.J. - In celebration of Earth Day/Arbor Day, girls ("novachky") of the Newark, N.J., Plast branch planted more than 35 seedlings. The girls then took the seedlings home to be cared for as part of the spring theme "Respecting Our Earth." The children also learned facts about recycling and conservation, and found out how they can contribute to protecting the environment. In the photos on the left and the right, the novachky plant seedlings with their counselors during a meeting outside the church hall of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, N.J., where they hold their Plast meetings.

Harrisburg dancers perform at festival

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The art of Ukrainian dance is like a language that expresses the colorful and emotional Ukrainian heritage. St. Mary's Traditional Ukrainian Dancers, associated with St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Allentown, Pa., and directed by Walter Milinichick, includes children age 4-16. This Ukrainian dance group has performed at many church, cultural and ethnic events. Most recently the troupe performed at the International Heritage Festival held at Harrisburg Area Community College in the capital of Pennsylvania on April 24.

Parma school celebrates language arts

by Katherine C. Kenney

PARMA, Ohio - St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral School held its annual Language Arts Festival in April. Students in Grades 5-8 delivered selections in four categories: prose, poetry, original and non-original.

Competition was strong. Students were first chosen by their peers in their classrooms. Next, they presented their selections before a faculty committee, which recommended them for final selection by an impartial panel of judges composed of a college professor and two teachers not on staff at SJS. The results of the Language Arts Competition follow.

Winners were awarded trophies funded by the Parent Teacher Unit.

Mishanyna

Solve our end-of-the-school-year/beginning-of-summer Mishanyna (hodgepodge) by finding the words below. Good luck!

award, beach, camp, caps, degree, diploma, exam, fun, gowns, graduation, honor, June, lake, no more pencils, no more books, prom, report card, school is out, summer, sun, test, vacation.

Myshka's mystery

This month, a mystery that could be solved by many children who go to summer camp, where they participate in festivities marking a special day when a mysterious flower blooms at night. What is this day?

The correct answer to last month's mystery was submitted by 13-year-old Kathryn (Katrusia) Miecyjak of Buffalo, N.Y. (Hooray for the Empire State - finally a mystery solver from New York State!)

Katrusia correctly guessed that the answer is Kyiv, or ä˪,, in Ukrainian, named in honor of Kyi, eldest brother of Schek and Khoryv. The three leaders of the Polianian tribe are considered the founders of Kyiv. The capital city of Ukraine has Gates of Gold (Zoloti Vorota), built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and celebrated its 1,500th birthday in 1982.

Katrusia is a student at St. John the Baptist School and the Ridna Shkola (School of Ukrainian Studies) of Buffalo, and is a member of the Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization.

Mykola Myshka wants to wish all his faithful UKELODEON readers a super summer.

I am off to camp. Are you? Let me know what you are up to. Are you going to bandura camp? Dance camp? Plast, SUM or ODUM camp? Myshka and your fellow UKELODEON readers want to know.

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated July 11, please send in materials by July 2.

And, don't forget, your input and ideas are welcome. So, drop us a line:

UKELODEON, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510; telephone, (973) 292-9800; e-mail, [email protected].

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 13, 1999, No. 24, Vol. LXVII

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