UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (05/13/01)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

South Jersey community recalls Chornobyl's victims

CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Local children participated in a special program organized by the Committee to Aid Ukraine of Southern New Jersey and the Cherry Hill Chapter of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster.

The solemn program took place at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday, April 1. Fifteen children from the parish dressed in Ukrainian embroidered blouses carried white candles, each symbolizing one year since the fire and explosion at the Chornobyl atomic energy station that unleashed a massive amount of radiation over northern and eastern Europe.

The keynote speech was delivered by Alexander Kuzma, executive director of CCRF, who told the audience that the Ukrainian diaspora needs to continue "moving mountains" in delivering medical aid and humanitarian assistance to the survivors of the Chornobyl tragedy.

"Chornobyl is just beginning to take its toll," said Mr. Kuzma. "There are over a million people still living in an area contaminated by radiation." The Committee to Aid Ukraine presented Mr. Kuzma with a check for $1,000 in support of the fund's next airlift, which is scheduled to arrive in Ukraine this month. Since 1990 CCRF has delivered over 1,300 tons of aid and technology valued at $6 million to Ukraine. CCRF's partner hospitals in several cities have credited this aid for significant reductions in infant mortality and improvements in remission rates for children with cancer and leukemia.

Olga Prychka of Stratford, N.J., served as the chairperson for the April commemoration, which received extensive coverage in the New Jersey edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The news story by Martin Braun included photographs of parishioners and children involved in the event.

Schoolchildren read poems and personal accounts by Ukrainian children who had been evacuated from their homes in the Chornobyl region. A musical interlude was provided by bandurist Stephan Orichowskyj.

Ridna Shkola students learn art of pysanky

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The local Ridna Shkola, or School of Ukrainian Studies, keeps Ukrainian Easter traditions alive by conducting workshops in the making of pysanky. Seen in the photos above are some of the students of Grades 2-6, many of whom learned how to make Ukrainian Easter eggs for the first time.

Young scientist cited by NASA

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - We have received word that our young scientist Ulyana Horodyskyj, featured in the April issue of UKELODEON, has been awarded second place in the NASA Student Involvement Program's 2000-2001 competition.

She was recognized for her work on the aftereffects of the Chornobyl nuclear accident, which occurred 15 years ago - on April 26, 1986 - in Ukraine. Ulyana's project was submitted to the competition category called "Watching Earth Change."

NSIP is a national program that stimulates math, science, technology and geography excellence though competitions for students in grades 3-12. The judges in the competition are scientists, engineers, educators, journalists and other professionals.

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PS: Read about the Chornobyl accident online by visiting The Ukrainian Weekly's website, www.ukrweekly.com - especially the "special issues" section.

Newark children honor Shevchenko

NEWARK, N.J. - Students of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School paid tribute to the bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko, with a special concert presented on March 25 in the church. Seen above are some of the young members of the school choir with their director, Michael Stashchyshyn, at the piano.

Pennsy school participates in Math-A-Thon

NORTHAMPTON, Pa. - Students at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School here participated in Math-A-Thon, a program benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Now in its 22nd year, Math-A-Thon is a fund-raising program in which students obtain sponsors for the number of math problems completed in special workbooks provided for students in kindergarten through grade 9. The program is sponsored nationally by Six Flags Theme Parks.

Students who participate in the program learn to do more than just math problems; they also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than themselves. Through Math-A-Thon, they are able to help provide a future for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases find hope at St. Jude.

"We are very proud of our students for working so hard on the Math-A-Thon," said Michael Duda, volunteer coordinator. "With their help, St. Jude Hospital will be able to create new treatments that may one day lead to a cure for many forms of cancer that will benefit the children of our state, our country and around the world."

"I also want to extend our thanks to the Northampton community for supporting our students. It takes all of us to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, and we can all feel proud of our response," added Mr. Duda.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna, find the words that appear capitalized in the text below.

May is a MONTH during which we HONOR our mothers. It is also a month during which we honor women. We Ukrainians had many remarkable women in our history.

PRINCESS OLHA of KYIVAN Rus' can be credited with bringing CHRISTIANITY to Ukraine. Many people opposed her on this, including her own SON Sviatoslav, who thought she would be ridiculed for her FAITH. Yet, Olha was brave enough to face the people who opposed her.

Princess ANNA, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, married the king of France. She became the REGENT, or ruler, after his death. She was remarkable since she was able to read and brought literacy to the masses in FRANCE. At that time many people could not READ. (Especially women!)

In MAY many of you are also preparing for many activities: HOLY COMMUNION, ZLET or SVIATO VESNY. (Let us know how it went for you.)

But, back to Mother's Day ... We are sure your mothers are there by your side helping you, taking CARE of you, and driving you everywhere. So, take some time to THANK your MAMA: let her know that you LOVE her, give her a HUG and a KISS, HELP her with something unexpected. Put a SMILE on her face! After all, you are really the best GIFT your mother could get on Mother's Day.

Myshka goes fishing

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Mykola Myshka is visiting Synevyr National Park in western Ukraine to do some fishing.

Can you name the oblast where the park is located? Hint: Notice the mountains on the stamp. Which province has Ukraine's highest mountains?

The first person to send in a correct answer will win a philatelic prize!

Are your summer plans set?

Did you read about Ukrainian summer happenings in The Ukrainian Weekly last week? The May 6 issue featured a special 12-page supplement titled "A Ukrainian Summer." Check it out - you just might find an activity you'd like to participate in!

CHECK IT OUT:

On page 13 of this issue, read about how the Ukrainian American Youth Association, a.k.a. SUM, is putting computer technology and the Internet to use to keep its members informed and in touch.

OUR NEXT ISSUE:

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated June 10, please send in your materials by June 1. (Please include a daytime phone number.)

Send in your articles, letters, photos, etc. to: The Ukrainian Weekly, UKELODEON, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; telephone, (973) 292-9800; fax, (973) 644-9510; e-mail, [email protected].

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