UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (02/13/00)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

UKELODEON's first anniversary

Remarkably, a year has flown by and UKELODEON is celebrating its first anniversary. In the last 12 months we have provided a venue for young writers of Ukrainian descent to express themselves and allow us to peek into their busy lives.

UKELODEON was launched in February 1999 to symbolize our love of children. We believe that our children are our future. Those of us who today value and love our Ukrainian heritage were instilled with these feelings as children.

We know that throughout the diaspora there are parents who juggle their responsibilities at work and home, yet make time to take their children to SUM, Plast, Ukrainian school, dancing, etc., amid soccer, piano and ballet lessons. There are also many of you who, while doing all the aforementioned for your own families, also commit time to organize these activities. All of you have made a commitment to our children by making it possible for them to have roots in their heritage.

We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to UKELODEON this past. For this next year our goal is to get more participation from the community. Those children who have seen their names published have been excited and honored. We are asking that more adults guide our future writers and journalists to UKELODEON's pages. Make an effort to encourage more participation from your community.

UKELODEON provides a diary of the next generation. If we encourage children to record, write and contribute their perspective, we are teaching them to be involved.

After all, just as this year has flown by, inevitably our young UKELODEON readers will soon be in leadership positions in our community. It will be up to them to keep the Ukrainian community alive and active. We are sure that, with your guidance and our assistance, they will.

- Lida Smyk

Readers' Christmas decorations displayed at The Weekly

The photo above shows the Christmas display created by the staff of The Ukrainian Weekly (with a little help from a younger assistant), using the Christmas ornaments sent in by UKELODEON readers. As well, readers sent us completed and colored drawings of Mykola Myshka with his Christmas tree. All of the above was exhibited at the entrance to the editorial offices of The Weekly for visitors and fellow employees to enjoy. A sincere thanks to our young artists!

Ukrainian folk dancer plays lead role in "The Nutcracker" in Miami

MIAMI - Kathryn Lotocky, a member of the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami, danced the lead role of Marie in the 1999 Miami City Ballet's production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker."

The 9-year-old played Marie, a young girl who is given a special nutcracker by her godfather. Later she dreams that the nutcracker has turned into a prince who defends her against the evil Mouse King, and then travels with her to an enchanted land.

Choreographed over 50 years ago by world-renowned ballet legend George Balanchine, the production consists of a cast of 80 - 58 of whom are children. Miss Lotocky, who has a full scholarship with the company's ballet school, has performed in its productions for the past two years. This year, she landed the coveted role of Marie in one of the two casts selected for the company's 12 shows.

The company alternates casts, which is necessary in the event of injury or illness, and Miss Lotocky danced as Marie in one cast, and as a polichinelle, an Italian candy, in the other. Both roles are a great achievement for the young dancer: the polichinelle number is the most technically difficult children's segment while the character of Marie is on stage for the entire production.

The Miami City Ballet school holds a closed audition for its students for the annual production of "The Nutcracker." The children rehearse every day for a week in October, then every weekend until the show is performed. In 1997, at the age of 7, and in her second year of classes, Miss Lotocky was cast as the grandchild in the party scene. In 1998 she was cast as one of Marie's cousins in the same scene.

Miss Lotocky has performed many solo roles during her six years with the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami, which was founded by her grandfather, Taras Maksymowich, over 50 years ago. She is a parishioner of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Miami, and attends Ukrainian and religion classes there. Kathryn's parents, Walter and Hanya Lotocky, and siblings, Tatiana, Daria, and Taisa, also dance with the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami. The two youngest, Sonya and Wolodymyr, are expected to join in the coming years.

Miss Lotocky's performance was full of the exuberance and quality one comes to expect from a devoted dancer. She could also be found in the middle of the show's run, donning her Ukrainian costume to participate in a holiday parade for a retirement village. It is this kind of dedication and enthusiasm that makes Miss Lotocky a shining star!

She is on the Honor Roll at Cooper City Elementary School, and, in addition to a hectic ballet class schedule, still finds time to participate in church and Ukrainian community activities.

Miss Lotocky was spotlighted in an article in a South Florida newspaper, The Herald, which included three photographs of her and glowing comments.

Wins baseball trophy

PARMA, Ohio - Katie Bubna, a third grade student at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral School won the regional Parma championship for girls age 7-8 for her baseball skills: hitting, throwing and running. As a result of her victory in the contest sponsored by the Cleveland Indians/Fox Sports Network Ohio Baseball Competition, Katie was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the August 30 Indians vs. Anaheim Angels game at Jacobs Field. In addition, Katie was presented an impressive trophy (which she is holding in the photo on the left) that was displayed at St. Josaphat School.

Children of Parma parishes enjoy swim party

PARMA, Ohio - On the eve of Thanksgiving, 50 children from Parma's Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Ukrainian churches enjoyed a swim party together on November 24, 1999. The event was a great success. Held at the Broadview Recreation Center, the evening began with two hours of swimming. This was followed by pizza and a lecture delivered by participating clergy. Following the lecturers, Irene and Daria Prodan, organizers of the evening, presented each family with icon for their homes, along with the request that special prayers be offered before the icon daily, until the beginning of Great Lent. The children selected papers with special intentions for which they are to pray, such as the homeless, sick and elderly.

St. John's School in Newark presents annual Christmas concert

NEWARK, N.J. - St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School presented its traditional concert of Christmas carols on Sunday, December 19, 1999.

Choirs from the school's lower grades and upper grades performed a selection of carols - most of them in Ukrainian - and a Christmas montage. Also on the program were performances by the school's sopilka (flute) and bandura ensembles, directed, respectively, by Mykhailo Stashchyshyn and Sister Bernarda.

A special treat was the appearance of a male trio introduced as "Try Parubky" (Three Young Men), which performed the Ukrainian-language version of the ever-popular carol "The Little Drummer Boy." According to the Rev. Bohdan Lukie, the ensemble of which he was a member along with the Revs. Leonid Malkov and Andrij Manko, was asked to perform since the renowned "Three Tenors" were unable to attend.

The concert program was prepared by Mr. Stashchyshyn, director of the school's choirs, plus teachers of St. John's. Held in St. John's Church, the event was a fund-raiser for the parochial school.

Below are a fourth grader's reflections on his class's performance during the concert.

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by Matthew DiLiberti

In our school we have a tradition. Starting in the fourth grade you have to memorize songs and play them on the sopilka (a wooden flute).

This year's fourth grade class (which I am in) was probably the most nervous of all. We struggled with notes in the third grade, then put them together to learn songs in the fourth grade.

But, with a little help from the seventh grade, our scales got refreshed, and on December 19, 1999, we put on one of the most memorable concerts ever.

Of course, we were all glad when it was finally over.

Newark bandurists entertain neighboring parish

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - A group of bandurists affiliated with St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark, N.J., appeared on January 16 at a concert at the parish "prosfora," or Christmas Eve dinner, here at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Attired in beautiful Ukrainian costumes, the group performed a selection of Christmas carols. As well they sang to the piano accompaniment of their director, Sister Bernarda OSBM. The appreciative Jersey City audience received the young performers from a neighboring parish with much applause and warmth.

Students honor Bishop Robert Moskal

PARMA, Ohio - Bishop Robert Moskal of the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy here was recently honored on the occasion of his birthday by the students of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral School. Students, faculty and staff assembled in Sheptytsky Hall to present Bishop Moskal with gifts, flowers and birthday cards which they made. Sister Miriam Claire Kowal OSBM, principal, introduced the bishop, who then addressed the student body, stressing the importance of God in the lives of all and God's love for everyone. The assembly concluded with the singing of "Happy Birthday" and "Mnohaya Lita." After the assembly Bishop Robert visited the third grade students and their teacher, Myroslawa Holubec. The third graders were studying leaders in the Eastern Rite Church and were delighted to meet one of those leaders and have the opportunity to pose questions. Above, Bishop Moskal is seen with Student Council officers (from left) Diana Prodan, secretary; Tommy Hubach, president; and Markian Zyga, vice-president; as he accepts their gifts.

Milwaukee dancers perform at Holiday Fair

MILWAUKEE - The Kalyna Ukrainian Youth Dancers under the direction of Mark Glubisz performed at the 56th Holiday Folk Fair. Seventeen children ranging in age from 4 to 12 performed a lively dance. The three-day event on November 19-21 was held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. It brings together the cultures of many ethnic groups. Among the features are an international bazaar, interactive exhibits, international kitchen and dance halls. The Holiday Folk Fair is produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin, a not-for-profit social service organization dedicated to racial, cultural and ethnic understanding.

- Raissa Horstmeier

Myshka's new hobby

Mykola Myshka has joined the Ukrainian Philatelic (stamp collecting) and Numismatic (coin collecting) Society. He especially likes to collect stamps showing animals, and here he is displaying one of his favorites. It shows the "tato," "mama" and "dity" of a colorful type of water bird found in Ukraine's wetlands.

Can you identify the type of bird this is? (Hint: Check out the lower left corner. What is this in English?)

Send your answers on a postcard to Lida Smyk, 385 Tremont Place, Orange, NJ 07050, by February 29. The first correct answer drawn will win a beautiful, full-color presentation folder produced by "Marka Ukrainy" with stamps showing animals from Ukraine.

Mishanyna

To solve the Mishanyna in this issue, find the words that appear in capital letters in the text below.

This month in the FIRST ANNIVERSARY of the introduction of UKELODEON in The Ukrainian WEEKLY, we have included a mini lesson in HISTORY in Mishanyna. (Maybe teachers could use it in Ukrainian school.)

KYIV was founded by three brothers, KYI, SCHEK and KHORYV. They had a sister, LYBID. The chronicler NESTOR documents this.

Kyiv is located on the DNIPRO river. Kyi ruled on one of the hills of Kyiv called BORYCHIV. PODIL was a large area of the city where artists and merchants lived.

In 1037 the GOLDEN GATE was built as the main entrance to the fortified city. The PECHERSKA LAVRA monastery was built in 1051.

The current president of Ukraine is LEONID KUCHMA. The country's first president, elected soon after Ukraine became independent in 1991, was another Leonid: KRAVCHUK.

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PS: Mykola Myshka asks all his loyal readers: "BE MY VALENTINE."

OUR NEXT ISSUE:

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated March 12, please send in materials by March 3.

Please drop us a line: UKELODEON, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510. Call us at (973) 292-9800;

or send e-mail to [email protected].

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