Spartanky Sorority sets ambitious agenda during annual conference (11/26/00)

Spartanky Sorority sets ambitious agenda during annual conference

by Lesia Pleskun-Palylyk

EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. - Thirty-one women of various backgrounds came together recently to celebrate something they all have in common: their membership in Plast and love for their sorority, the Spartanky.

Lida Prokop, the group's leader, set an ambitious agenda for these women during their conference on September 29-30 in East Chatham, N.Y., the idyllic site in upstate New York of Plast's summer camps for children age 6 to 18.

This group of successful women, who model themselves after the strong yet feminine Spartan women of ancient Greece, participated in a voluntary rigorous physical fitness test that included a 100-meter swim, a two-kilometer run, a five-kilometer power walk (uphill), as well as push-ups and sit-ups.

They also competed in small groups in a field game (terenova hra), which was as physically challenging as it was intellectually stimulating.

Eight women were accepted into the group as full members in a candlelight ceremony held during a campfire that included much singing and several comedic sketches.

But there was much business to attend to as well. The 31 Spartanky sat for several hours discussing and revising their by-laws, choosing a new executive board, and discussing plans for present and future projects, including a camp they run for the youngest Plast children at the Vovcha Tropa site in East Chatham.

Also discussed were financial issues and ways to keep the Ukrainian language alive among the young members of Plast.

The Spartanky welcome women interested in membership. For information call Lesia Matijcio, (203) 846-7162 (days).

| Home Page |