COMMUNITY CHRONICLE: Detroit school marks golden jubilee (10/29/00)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Detroit school marks golden jubilee

by Lesya Baltarowich

WARREN, Mich. - The School of Ukrainian Studies ("Shkola Ukrayinoznavstva Tovarystva Ridna Shkola") of the Detroit Metropolitan area celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 13 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center with a community attendance of over 400 guests attending.

The celebration was a testimonial to the hard work of three generations of parents, teachers and students who dedicated their time and energy for the continuation of "Ridna Shkola" into the 21st century.

There were multi-faceted presentations and displays commemorating the 50 year history of Ridna Shkola, as well as a banquet and lively entertainment provided by students. The evening was filled with nostalgia and acknowledgments of the many individuals who helped found or were participants in the school effort.

Dr. Jaroslaw Berezowsky, immediate past principal and long-time teacher of upper classes, was the master of ceremonies for the celebration program.

The entertainment began with a traditional "pryvit" (welcome), followed by an all-student performance of "The Merry Bazaar," a six-act operetta of folk songs, verses and dances depicting a day at the marketplace where one can buy anything from vegetables to a goat.

The entire school participated in "The Merry Bazaar," and all deserve to be congratulated for a great performance. The colorful extravaganza was directed by teacher Olha Novachinski with the assistance of the musical director, Myroslava Boryszcuk, and teachers Nadia Soutar, Vera Kurta, Olena Hryciw, Tania Kindzelsky and Natalia Tegler. Svitlana Leheta was credited for the outstanding props. Professional lighting and sound systems were donated by Andrij Pereklita from Ann Arbor and his technical assistants.

Bishop Alexander Bykovetz of St. Andrew's Orthodox Church, who has a long history of association with the Ridna Shkola Society in Detroit, delivered a poignant prayer prior to the banquet.

Dr. Berezowsky and the current principal, Dr. Roman Hryciw, presented diplomas to the six graduates or "maturanty": Taras Berezowsky, Mark Bohay, Oleh Iwanicki, Orest Iwanicki, Mark Tarnavsky and Ivanna Yavorenko. The supervising teacher of Grade 11, Dr. Berezowsky, prepared a humorous verse about each graduate. Mark Tarnavsky delivered the senior class farewell speech in which he stated: "In order to attend Ukrainian school you must be motivated to learn, be disciplined, and have a great love for your native land."

The speech given by Dr. Hryciw was upbeat and motivating. He outlined the current state of the school, including its changing face during the last decade, the background of the teacher cadre and student enrollment. He also gave a projection of what the Ridna Shkola Society will be like in the 21st century, utilizing information technology resources with their boundless potential.

Past and present teachers and heads of the Ridna Shkola Society, which is the administrative motor of the school, were remembered as Dr. Berezowsky read their names from a list carefully compiled for the 50th Anniversary Book. A moment of silence was observed in memory of all the deceased.

Dr. Lesya Baltarowich honored the founders of the Ridna Shkola Society, the 10 principals, the earliest teachers, as well as those who taught for 20 or more years in a special presentation that incorporated historical slides. Those present were presented certificates in recognition of their contributions to Ukrainian children.

It is noteworthy that seated at a special table of honor were teachers who taught during the 1950s, the school's first decade: Ivanna Kuczer, the very first pedagogue, who began teaching in October 1950, Maria and Jurij Olesnysckyj, Maria Andrusiak, Olha Sawchuk, Maria Harasevych, Jaroslava Zdaniw (absent) and Dr. Mykola Klymyshyn.

Six of the 10 principals were also present: Irena Tarnavsky, Luba Maryniuk, Christina Hnatchuk, Romana Tobiansky, Dr. Berezowsky and Dr. Hryciw.

Recognition was given to the School of Ukrainian Studies - West Side (1952-1978), which had a history parallel to that of its East Side cousin. The final principal of this school, Tetyana Nazarenko, was among the honored guests. Also present was Mariana Liskivska, a representative of the Lesia Ukrainka School associated with St. Mary Protectress Orthodox Church in Southfield, Mich.

A photographic exhibit of school life, organized by decades and meticulously prepared by Tamara Slywynsky and Marta Tatarsky, was displayed around the banquet room. The full complement of 37 graduating class tableaus was the pride of the exhibit.

The finale of the program was a historical slide show of personal and official photos from 1950 through 2000 prepared by Dr. Baltarowich and set to a piano accompaniment by Ms. Boryszcuk.

The 50th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Ms. Tobiansky included: Dr. Berezowsky, Dr. Baltarowich, Katherine Beswerchij, Ms. Boryszcuk, Dr. Hryciw, Ms. Hryciw, Mykola Hryhorchuk, Roma Gudziak, Mrs. Kuzcer, Ms. Kurta, Marta Skalchuk, Marta Kvitkovsky, Ms. Leheta, Maria Lisowsky, Irene Lazarchuk, Genevieve Murskyj, Ms. Novachinski, Ms. Slywynsky, Halyna Serdiuk, Ms. Soutar, Irena Tarnavsky, Ms. Tatarsky and Olia Terleckyj.

The 50th Anniversary Book was delivered the evening of the banquet. The 246-page, hard-cover book chronicles the history of the school; it includes original contributions by students and graduates, as well as numerous photos. The book may be purchased for $30; for ordering information e-mail [email protected].

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