COMMUNITY CHRONICLE (01/26/03)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Minneapolis parish proud of its school

by Dr. Michael J. Kozak

MINNEAPOLIS - The local Ukrainian Catholic parish can be proud of its Saturday School of Ukrainian Studies.

Beside classroom studies, each year the students prepare a St. Nicholas program as well as a program honoring Taras Shevchenko. The St. Nicholas program was presented on Sunday, December 15, 2002, after a tasty brunch preapred by the school's Parents Committee.

The program was directed by teachers Lesia Hucal and Ola Navalana, both recent arrivals from Ukraine. Music and choreography was prepared by Yaroslav Billy, while the singing parts of the program were directed by Jurij Ivan, also a recent immigrant from Ukraine.

Portions of the program were adapted from the play "Concert of Angels" written by Katherine Hutsal. The first scene shows the heaven and the stars where angels greet St. Nicholas, and offer him help on his good will mission. The second scene shows two "chortyky" (devils) who are trying to divert St. Nicholas from that mission, but fail in their attempt. The third scene shows the happiness of all those who prepared gifts and those who expected to receive them. The main point of the play: Goodness triumps over evil.

The role of St. Nicholas was played by George Lucyk. The angels were: Kristina Potichko, Taras Tataryn, Bohdan Billy, Andrea Drush, Daniel Grove, Andrew Hodynsky, Alexander Husak, Petro Kolomeychuk, Kristina Kramarczuk and Tanya Nalavana. The stars were: Elizabeth Drush, Sophia Hutsal, Aria Kramarczuk, Taras Pawlyk, Mary Shaw, Hadley Sloccum and Alexa Tataryn. The devils were portrayed by Dmytro Hutsal and Mykhailo Kolomeychuk.

Piano accompaniment was provided by Bohdan Billy and Andrew Hodynsky. Much variety was added to the program by the singing of traditional Ukrainian carols by the students and their mothers.

Thanks were expressed to the program directors and choirmaster, and it was noted that the children's performance and singing were exceptionally good. Special thanks go to soloists Tanya Navalana, 12, and Mary Shaw, 5. A special thank-you is also due to the Parents Committee; Katia Drush, who supervises the school, and the teachers and the performers who organized and staged this traditional Christmas program. Special mention should be given to those parishioners of St. Constantine's parish who attended the program and thus showed their support for the school, its students and their teachers.

Despite the fact that lately there are fewer students than in the past, gratitude and recognition is due to the parents and teachers who care about the continuation of Ukrainian studies.

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