UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (08/12/01)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Reflections on a year at St. Vladimir's College in Roblin, Manitoba

by Nicholas Rudyk

It is the last day I will call this room home. All around me people are scurrying, packing and preparing for the final event. Yet, I lie silently on my bed, thinking to myself. How often does one get an opportunity to make the choice I did, and then go on to gain so much from it? I know that I am lucky because of all I have experienced here.

I turn and look at my clock. My time is running short. I get up and stare at the gown before me. Cautiously, I remove it from the hanger, being careful not to wrinkle it. Slowly, I slip my arms through the sleeves of my gown. The sun's rays hit it, and the brilliant blue color lights up my room. I carefully position the cap on my head and stand proud.

Moments later, I join the rest of the graduates - there were six of us in the class of 2001 - in line and wait patiently. Suddenly, our entrance into the church is met by the sounds of the choir and the loving faces of family and friends. The graduation service commences and the ceremony begins.

On June 23 I completed my high school career at an all boys' Ukrainian prep school called St. Vladimir's College in Roblin, Manitoba. I wish I had spent more than just my senior year at this wonderful institution, whose goal is to instill morals and high ideals into young men's minds and souls.

I admit it was not an easy decision to leave home and travel 2,000 miles at the age of 17. It was difficult for my entire family. I remember the last expression on the face of each member of my family, as I left the house. I think that day can be marked as the saddest day in our home.

Walking out, I looked back and saw my mother standing in the doorway, crying because her only son was leaving home. My father, in the window, stood proudly trying hard to keep back his tears. Both were proud that their son had chosen St. Vladimir's as a conclusion to his high school life, understanding the benefits I would come to realize from this close-knit boarding school. My sister, on the other hand, knew we had an entire lifetime to spend together. We could easily handle one year apart. Each of my family member's expressions left a somewhat sad, yet warm impression in my heart.

And so my journey began. With a plane ticket, two pieces of luggage and all the love in the world, I set off for a great adventure.

I quickly adjusted over the first few weeks with the help of caring teachers, supportive staff and an outgoing group of peers. Everyone warmly welcomed me, "the Yankee," and I became active within the school.

I met Taras Veryha, my literature teacher, who inspired me to write and realize the extent of my capabilities. I marveled at the patience and persistence of Donald Boguski, my science teacher, as I struggled with chemistry and physics. Mr. Bugera, taught me world history. Learning Canadian geography was made easier by the fact that my schoolmates came from so many different parts of Canada. My math skills were sharpened by Hugh Newton, and biology and physical education were taught by the qualified teacher and school headmaster Lloyd McKinney. I studied religion, Ukrainian language and grammar, and took a marketing class. I became captain of the soccer team and editor of the school newspaper, and I joined the ski club.

St. Vladimir's College sits on 160 beautiful acres of land with fields, bush, paths and trails. We hiked in warm weather, cut down trees and built huge bonfires during the autumn months, and did cross-country sking in the winter. I learned to play hockey, broom ball and curling at the school's own hockey rink, which was flooded and prepared by a team of enthusiastic boys. In addition, we played billiards, snooker and 101, worked out in the weight room and went fishing.

Our evening schedule included two hours of study and "work orders," or chores, throughout the school. Some of my time was even dedicated to the development and construction of a potato canon.

The great cook, Elsie Sorchuk, fed us three square meals a day (even with the few missing potatoes once in a while). Mrs. Daneluk took care of our laundry, and Taras Daneluk and Murry Schnell, our prefects, kept a close eye on each and everyone of us. All was coordinated by the school's secretary and bursar, Patti Onofriechuk.

Love for my heritage, culture and tradition were instilled and deepened by the choirmaster, orchestra conductor and dance instructor Paul Bakan. It was he who taught a group of 30 boys - the entire student body - to sing the divine liturgy and a variety of Ukrainian songs ranging from religious to folk, from somber to humorous. Mr. Bakan taught boys to play traditional instruments, such as the tsymbaly, sopilka and bandura. We learned dances such as the Pryvit, Arkan, Kozachok and Hopak.

Mr. Bakan produced and directed a wonderful two-hour program and along with a few other teachers took us on a two-week tour of Ukrainian communities throughout Manitoba and Ontario. Our concert tour took us to places such as Selkirk, Cook's Creek, Winnipeg, Sarto, The Pas and Flin Flon in Manitoba and towns in Ontario called Thunder Bay and Kenora.

It was in The Pas where I met my relatives, Uncle Walter and Aunt Sylvia Rudyk. They, like many other Ukrainians, emigrated to Canada after World War II. Walter Rudyk found an engineering job with the Canadian railroad and settled his family in The Pas. It was St. Vlad's that took us on a six-hour bus ride north of Roblin, where I finally met the people I termed the "missing link" in our family. These wonderful relatives honored me by attending my graduation.

Besides the tour, we also traveled during the year on weekends singing the divine liturgy in Ukrainian churches in Dauphin, Kamsack, Neepawa, Russell and Yorkton. Each town and city left a unique and lasting impression on all of us. I learned how our culture and heritage bind us no matter where we, as Ukrainians, live in this world. Many of the Canadian communities have second-, third- and even fourth-generation Ukrainians who perpetuate traditions and customs. Their language skills may have diminished over the years, yet their love for Ukraine and pride in their ancestry have grown strong and have withstood assimilation.

Bearing witness to this gave me a new appreciation of my heritage and what responsibilities and contributions I and my Ukrainian American peers should promote and continue.

I am home now and once again making adjustments. This fall I will be attending university and continuing my studies. With me I will bring all the education I received from St. Vladimir's.

I hope the friends I have made will remain with me throughout my life. To all the dedicated individuals involved with St. Vlad's, I wish success in the years to come. To all future students, I wish the same great memories that I now cherish. Finally, I thank my parents for their support.

For further information about St. Vladimir's College, please write to Mrs. Patti Onofriechuk, Box 789, 99 Highway 83 North, Roblin, Manitoba, R0L lP0, Canada. The office phone number is (204) 937-2173, and the school's website is at [Editor's note: The website address cited for St. Vladimir's College is no longer valid for the school.]

Ad astra! (To the stars)

by Ulyana Horodysky

When I first began my independent research project on solar sails two years ago, never did I imagine that I would get so far with it at such a young age. Last year, I could not believe that I, a freshman in high school, was chosen to represent Ohio at several national and international science competitions. This year, I still have a hard time believing it, even though it has happened again.

After last year's success, I was not really expecting much. I took part in various regional science fairs because I enjoy the competition, and l just tried to do my best. As it turned out, I was again selected to represent Ohio at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, held this year in Orlando, Fla.

The competition was very tough, as l anticipated. My research paper, "Sailing Into Space: Steering Towards Mars," was placed in the category of Astronomy, Atmospheric Science and Physics. I could not believe it when I heard my name called out for the first place award for the second year in a row. Very few students win multiple times. It was as if I was in a dream - but one that turned out to be very real.

I also had the honor of representing the State of Ohio at the "Science Olympics," the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), this year held in San Jose, Calif. This event also proved full of memorable experiences. There, I competed with over 1,200 students from 40 different countries. The projects were grouped into 15 categories, from Behavioral Science through Zoology. There were 50 of us in the category of Earth and Space. We were grilled for hours by groups of scientists and judges from universities and industry. It was exhausting, but stimulating.

At this competition the awards are grouped in three different categories: special, government and grand. I waited all day Thursday and all morning Friday until, finally, the grand awards ceremony began. By then I was getting pretty discouraged, but I knew that just getting to the ISEF was a major accomplishment. I told myself that even if I walked away with nothing, I would still be a winner.

When I heard my name called for first place and the "best of category" distinction, I was so stunned that I couldn't move. Anything would have done: fourth place, third place - but first place, I would have never guessed. I hoped to reach this level in my senior year, but it happened this year! It turned out that I was the youngest first-place and best-of-category winner at this year's fair. Somehow, I got myself up onto the stage to accept the awards.

As I stood up there scanning the crowd, I saw with delight that the many friends I had made at ISEF were all waving and cheering, even though they had not won. That is what science is all about. It is not about winning or losing, but just about being there and supporting each other. Pretty soon all of us will go off along our own career paths. But the memories we created and shared in San Jose will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

The experience has given me the strength and confidence to continue pursuing my interest in science. My mentor, Dr. Robert L. Forward, an astrophysicist and author, brought my work to the attention of NASA, and I have presented my research at their last two Advanced Space Propulsion Workshops. In 2000 it was held at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. This year, it was held at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Presenting my work to a room full of space scientists was very different from presenting to judges at competitions. Participating in these workshops was a worthwhile and rewarding experience, one that I will treasure. There, I met with scientists at the leading edge of research, and I was thrilled to learn that one of them had spoken with Albert Einstein and that another was a student of Werner Heisenberg. I got to share common interests and discuss new ideas for my future research.

Conducting scientific research is like playing sports. You give it your all and hope for the best. Knowing that you did your best is what counts. Remember that "your attitude determines your altitude." No one - not your peers, your family, or your school - can hold you back once you start soaring. When someone tells you that "it'll never happen," don't let that discourage you. Instead, turn back around and make it happen. The future is in your own hands.

Remember that what you have is a gift from God, but what you do with it is your gift to God.

Mishanyna

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

AUGUST usually reminds people that the end of SUMMER VACATION is near. But for Ukrainians there are two remarkable anniversaries during the month of August.

In the year 988, on August 14, Grand Prince Volodymyr's BAPTISM of his realm brought the Christian FAITH to Kyivan Rus', the first state on Ukrainian territory.

A "bit" closer to our times, TEN years ago on August 24, 1991, the PARLIAMENT of Ukraine adopted a DECLARATION of Ukraine's independence. (That is why today you can find the COUNTRY of Ukraine listed on all MAPS - which was not the case a DECADE earlier!) For many of your grandparents the proclamation of independence was a dream come true.

This year there will be many celebrations in UKRAINE, Canada, the United States and around the world - wherever Ukrainians may be found - to HONOR this historic act.

So, we should treat August 24 just like the Fourth of July in AMERICA or CANADA Day (July 1) in that country. Why not have a family get-together, say a barbecue, and CELEBRATE with BABA and DIDO?

Whatever you decide to do, our wish is that you ENJOY this national holiday of Ukraine.

Myshka enjoys his summer

Mykola Myshka is enjoying his last days of summer vacation with a few friends. Hope you are too! (Notice he is wearing his life jacket even though he is an excellent swimmer.) Drop us a line at UKELODEON to let us know how your summer went. Enjoy your last few summer days before school starts!

OUR NEXT ISSUE:

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated September 9, please send in your materials by August 31. (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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