SUM youths enjoy competition at 43rd annual 'Zlet' (07/21/02)

SUM youths enjoy competition at 43rd annual 'Zlet'

by Orest Kozicky

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - The Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) sponsored its 43rd consecutive annual Memorial Day gathering on May 25-26 at the SUM campgrounds and resort (oselia) in Ellenville, N.Y.

"Zlet" is the annual spring festival that presents SUM's young members an opportunity to engage in academic and athletic competitions, as well as poetry recitations that demonstrate their knowledge of Ukrainian history, cultural traditions and the Ukrainian language. It also is an occasion for them to perform with their dance, bandura, choral and drama ensembles within a talent contest-type forum.

The athletic competitions include individual and team sports events that include running (distances from 40 yards to one mile), relay races, broad jump, shot put and obstacle course races, as well as a volleyball tournament.

This year's sports events were threatened by heavy rains. Thanks to the combined valiant efforts of the Zlet leadership, the track and field was cleared of rain puddles daily and, despite continuing threats of rain, the youths succeeded in competing, albeit under adverse conditions, in the spirit of SUM preparedness. Youths also had an opportunity to socialize at a barbecue and dance on Saturday evening.

On Sunday morning the participants took part in a liturgy celebrated by Father Bohdan Danylo and Father Ihor Midzak. A formal review of the SUM ranks as individual branches from various cities stood in formation was conducted, and scoring was based on adherence to the uniform dress code.

Although the Zlet held at the Ellenville site usually involves only the 12 SUM branches along the Eastern Seaboard, this year a contingent of participants from the branch in Montreal also took part. There were 445 young participants, ranging in age from 4 through 17. The continued growth of the organization is reflected by the participation of a continually growing number of "sumeniata," children age 3-5.

This year the responsibility for coordinating the various events was undertaken by the Zlet leadership ("komanda"), made up of members from the Irvington, Whippany and Jersey City, N.J., branches. The Zlet commander was Michael Koziupa.

The Irvington branch took first place for overall points achieved. Whippany took second place and Yonkers took third.

Markian Kolinsky of Hartford, Conn., Chrystyna Harhaj of New York and Natalka Kukil of Yonkers, N.Y., shared the winners trophy for most points in the 13-17 age group. Chrystia Melnyk and Andrea Popovich of New York shared the trophy for the age 6-12 group.

The final volleyball tournament standings for the girl's division were: first place - Montreal, second place - Yonkers, third place - New York; in the boy's division: first place - Hartford, second place - Yonkers-Krylati and third place - Passaic-B .

World SUM President Yurij Nakonechny closed the awards ceremonies by expressing his gratitude to Mr. Koziupa and his entire komanda, as well as to all of the SUMivtsi for their participation in Zlet.

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