UKELODEON
For The Next Generation
Teens from Ukraine compete in international debating championship
HOLMDEL, N.J. - On January 30 through February 5 Duquesne University in Pittsburgh hosted the World School Debating Championship of 2000 with teams from 28 countries, including Ukraine, participating.
Representing Ukraine were 15- and 16-year-old speakers Tanya Bersheda of Kyiv, Sveta Bazhanova of Odesa and Katya Yasko of Kyiv. The delegation included Anna Prorochenko, an independent adjudicator from Ukraine, and coach Ella Lamakh.
All debates were held in English. The Ukrainian debaters won two debates - against Estonia and the Czech Republic - out of a possible eight.
They debated whether the United Nations should take a stronger stand against human rights abuses and whether multinational corporations have done more harm than good. Other debates covered whether strict punishment is the best way to decrease juvenile crime, and whether science and technology are advancing too quickly for the good of society.
The young delegates from Ukraine were unfamiliar with the so-called "world style" of debating, but after the first two rounds they were able to debate on the same level as, for example, the team from Pakistan, which was considered the best English-as-a-second-language team.
The rules of the competition were straightforward: each side was given a topic and told whether they would argue for or against the proposition. The three members of each team then alternated as speakers, first as proponents of the argument and then as opponents, arguing their positions for eight minutes each. The final rebuttal was then given by one member of each team speaking for four minutes with the opponents speaking first and the proponents speaking last.
The debate was then scored by seven adjudicators on a point system. The winner was the team closest to receiving 350 points and the team named as the winner by the most judges.
The members of the Ukrainian debating team expressed thanks to Jaroslaw and Lida Czernyk of New York and Bernard and Anna Krawczuk of New Jersey for opening their homes to them and for their hospitality, as well as to New Jerseyans Orysia Jacus and Luba Bilowchtchuk for making them feel welcome.
Upon their arrival in Pittsburgh, the team was warmly greeted and supported by Michael Korchynsky and A. Nykonchuk. Team members noted their gratitude to Michael Komichak of the Ukrainian Radio Program in Pittsburgh, Petro and Luba Hlutkowski, Anna Konetska, Maria Starodub and the local Ukrainian American community for their confidence-building support.
The teenage debaters said they feel it was a great experience - not only for debating on the international level, but more importantly for the exposure and experience of communicating with people from other countries. They made new friends and informed others about Ukraine.
They hope to find financial resources in order to participate in next year's championships in South Africa. They also hope to someday to see such international debates in Ukraine.
The Debate Program in Ukraine is a movement whose goal is to encourage youth involvement in Ukrainian society, as well as to teach critical thinking skills, foster interest in current events, promote tolerance and understanding, and encourage study of rhetoric and public speaking.
SCHOOL PROFILE: St. John the Baptist, Newark, N.J.
NEWARK, N.J. - As the church bells chimed, the "congregation" sat reflectively, looking at the mosaic before them. The pastor walked solemnly to the pulpit, hung his head and suddenly exclaimed: "Today is Father Bohdan's birthday!" Amid a chorus of "Alleluia," the congregation burst out into "Mnohaya Lita!"
This exemplifies the spirit at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark, N.J. Under the direction of kindergarten teacher Natalka Kudryk, the school family recently celebrated the birthday of its pastor/school director.
The school, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, is a highly acclaimed academic institution that always has room for creativity and fun.
The Rev. Bohdan Lukie proudly says: "St. John's Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark has a wonderful and long-standing reputation of providing an excellent Christian education for our Ukrainian children for the past 60 years."
"At St. John's our children receive an education that is second to none. Nationally, Catholic school students consistently outperform others on tests for math, reading and science. Our St. John's students number among those who have surpassed even the national average," he adds.
When asked by a UKELODEON reporter to use a single word to describe St. John's, the following student responses were recorded:
Grade 2: Fun. Exciting. Neat. Awesome.
Grade 4: Cool. Fascinating. Awesome.
Grade 5: Great. Fun. Awesome.
Well, looks like "awesome" wins.
Myshka's new hobby
This month I am painting and writing poems. Do you know why?
Why it's Branta rificollis, of course!
The following is the winning response to Mykola Myshka's philatelic mystery.
Our winner received a beautiful, full-color presentation folder produced by "Marka Ukrainy" with stamps showing animals from Ukraine. The prize was graciously donated by Ingert Kuzych, The Ukrainian Weekly's columnist on philately.
Dear UKELODEON:
The birds on Mykola Myshka's stamp are a whole family of red breasted geese (Branta rificollis) - a mommy, daddy and three babies. The stamp was one out of a four-set collection. There were 200,000 stamps printed of each of four values: 20, 30, 40 and 60 kopiyky.
Sincerely,
Chrystyna Lazirko
Age 10, Grade 4
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School, Newark, N.J.
Mishanyna
To solve the Mishanyna in this issue, find the words that appear in capital letters in the text below.
Every MARCH we honor the memory of TARAS SHEVCHENKO. He was born in 1814 as a SERF. At that time the country was ruled by Russia and Austria. The peasants were serfs to FEUDAL landlords.
His childhood was difficult. His mother died when he was NINE. He lost his father at age TWELVE. There were SIX children in his family. He worked as a pageboy for a landowner named ENGELHARDT.
Engelhardt traveled and brought young Taras with him. He discovered Taras's talent as a PAINTER and apprenticed him to various artists. While in St. Petersburg, Taras met SOSHENKO, who introduced him to people who eventually freed him.
Taras won several MEDALS at the Imperial ACADEMY of Fine Arts. In fact one of his drawings was engraved on steel by London engraver J.H. ROBINSON. Taras also wrote BALLADS and LYRICS. His first collection of poetry was called the "KOBZAR."
He was arrested for his writing and banished to Orenburg in ASIA. He was FORBIDDEN to write by the TSAR.
In 1857 Taras returned from exile in poor health. He died at age 47 on March 10, 1861. His memory and talent are known to all Ukrainians.
Immaculate Conception High focuses on careers
WARREN, Mich. - Nine alumni who came from as far away as Washington and Amhertsburg, Ontario, energized the annual Career Day at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic High School on January 17.
Sponsored by the Parents Club, guests enabled students to acquaint themselves with various professions through half-hour rotating sessions.
Marta Kuropas Cyhan (class of '87), senior manager of consumer promotions at Kellogg's Corp., brought along Tony the Tiger, who distributed free samples of cereal. The director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Roman Terleckyj (class of '71), encouraged students to look at unusual careers. Graphic artist John Nagridge (class of '79) spoke to students about striving for their greatest passion, while art therapist Ireneus Kozak (class of '86), showed students how art is related to psychology.
Lt. Col. Ihor Kunynskyj (class of '67) of the U.S. Army focused on helicopter engineering. Hamtramck firefighter Paul Sharon (class of '73), allowed students to wear his equipment, while IRS Special Agent Marta Pryjma (class of '79) surprised students with her choice of profession.
Motivational speaker and psychologist Dr. Roman Kolodchin (class of '78), set a positive tone for Career Day, sponsored by the Parents Club and organized by Sofia Brezden Woloszczuk (class of '68).
Evaluations by students included the following comments:
Senior Marko Melymuka observed: "Career Day gets better and better every year; it's disappointing that I will not be here next year to see more."
The school's principal, Michaeline Weigle, said, "Students of Immaculate Conception High School are fortunate to be able to participate in such an uplifting program, free of charge, through the preparation of very active parent support and dedicated alumni groups."
OUR EDITORS:
UKELODEON is prepared by the editorial staff of The Ukrainian Weekly working in conjunction with Lydia Smyk, an elementary school teacher and mother of three. Ms. Smyk, who is originally from Ottawa, resides with her family in Orange, N.J.
OUR NEXT ISSUE:
UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated April 9, please send in materials by March 31.
Please drop us a line:
UKELODEON
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fax: (973) 644-9510
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Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 12, 2000, No. 11, Vol. LXVIII
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