UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (07/10/05)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Passaic Plast troop showcases Orange Revolution

by Christina Temnycky

PASSAIC, N.J. - Our troop "Konvaliyi" from Plast's Passaic branch - Marta Lewko, Alexa Patti, Christina Temnycky and our counselor Christine Kotlar - wanted to share with our neighbors all the things we collected during the Orange Revolution.

We filled three glass cases at the Clifton Public Library with memorabilia from Ukraine. In the cases were: an orange "Tak" flag which was used and tattered during a caravan through the oblast of Sumy, close to the Russian border, in an attempt to get the people to vote their conscience; a yellow Pora Flag; a "Tak" headband worn by one of the Pora students during the rallies; official Yushchenko and Yanukovych platform posters; buttons, keychains, wristbands, ribbons, bumper stickers and other items sold during the revolution.

We also printed photographs from both the revolution at the maidan (Independence Square in Kyiv) and from rallies around the world in support of Viktor Yushchenko.

This exhibit will be on display for a few weeks. We are proud to be able to share the beginnings of true independence for Ukraine.

150 Plast campers descend on "PK" for "Sviato Vesny"

by Mykhas Fedynsky

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio - On May 28, over 150 Plast campers descended on the 140-acre Pysanyi Kamin campsite - known to regulars as "PK" - in Middlefield, Ohio, for the annual "Sviato Vesny" (literally, celebration of spring) camporee, the culmination of weeks of preparation on the part of many dedicated people.

The campers came from all over - Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit and Washington. The counselors also came from different cities, representing various Plast sororities and fraternities ("kureni").

The Lisovi Mavky took on the task of planning and running the camporee. Komendantka Anya Maziak, Bunchuzhna Larissa Hotra and Pysar Katria Kuzmowycz had the help of other Lisovi Mavky, along with representatives from the Buryverkhy, Chervona Kalyna, Chornomortsi, Khrestonostsi, Lisovi Chorty and others. They did a great job, with a program based on the theme of the Orange Revolution.

The campers created their own tent city, complete with orange decorations, reminiscent of the one on the maidan in Kyiv. The program kept the kids busy, informed and entertained.

The weather was almost perfect: mostly sunny with a brief shower on the first day. In a talk on Monday, the representatives from different kureni encouraged the campers to join their respective groups.

As the theme was based on the Orange Revolution and Plast's 2005 maxim "Razom nas bahato - Together we are many," part of the program was for the campers to get together in groups representing one of the 25 oblasts in Ukraine and create their own theoretical revolution.

Some of the winning ideas were to run the campsite with a democratic dictatorship where a dictator is elected but then has absolute power, to have dances 40 hours a week for those 18-20, to replace Ukrainian school teachers with our grandmothers, and have bigger uniforms for bigger people. It was all in good fun.

Another part of the program was a "lysiachyi bih," basically a scavenger hunt, which gave campers an opportunity to explore PK using orienteering skills learned at camp. Later that afternoon the oblast groups once again got to compete in sport activities and fun and games.

During Sunday's bonfire a number of important ceremonies took place: several scouts received first rank and pledged their allegiance to Plast's ideals, and one received third rank. After these ceremonies, interwoven with many Plast songs, each kurin presented its "Orange-themed" skit in a contest. Washington boys received first prize, and Cleveland boys received second.

At the end of the weekend, no one wanted to leave, because they'd had such a good time. Everyone had so many wonderful memories of adventures at Sviato Vesny and they now wait in eager anticipation of getting together with their friends at summer camp.

This Sviato Vesny - a kickoff for the 40th anniversary of the purchase of PK - was a great success.

Mykhas Fedynsky is a member of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organi-zation's Cleveland branch.

Varsity volleyball team places second

CHICAGO - St. Nicholas Cathedral School now has two great girl's volleyball teams; the Junior Varsity Angels (grades 5 and 6) and the Varsity Angels (grades 7 and 8).

On April 24, the Junior Varsity Angels placed second in the Northwest Junior Varsity Volleyball League (see May issue of UKELODEON) and on May 24, the Varsity Angels wrapped up the Eagle Invitational Tournament hosted by St. Viator School, by taking home another second place.

Twenty-seven teams signed up for the Eagle Invitational Tournament held in May, with the St. Nicholas Varsity Angels going to the playoffs on Tuesday, May 24. The playoffs began with a convincing win over Queen of All Saints. In the second round of the playoffs the Angels took the lead early and never looked back as they won 25-12 and 25-17 facing St. Josaphat, a very good team in this league. This win put the Angels into the finals.

In the finals, the Angels faced the always tough Lakeview team. The games between the two teams consisted of long volleys, great leaping saves, excellent serves, hard hits and terrific defense. The quality of play was extraordinary, and the competitive spirit was evident. In both games the lead changed hands several times with the excitement and tension building in the crowd. However, the Angels lost both games, 25-21 and 27-25 and took home second place.

Several days after the playoffs, coach Bohdan Wruskyj received an email from the administrator of this tournament. She wrote: "Your girls were the most pleasant and respectful players in this entire league and it was a pleasure to host such a wonderful group of girls."

The Angels expressed thanks to everyone who came out to support them during the playoffs and throughout the year. Special thanks went to the Savoia family, who purchased new uniforms for the team, and to MB Financial for 10 new volleyballs.

Parma dance students present yearend recital

PARMA, Ohio - Students of the Ukrainian Dance School of St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, are seen above after the end-of-the-year recital on May 11. The school meets every Wednesday from October through May. During the 2004-2005 academic year, 44 students were registered.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna, find the capitalized words below hidden within the Mishanyna grid.

During JULY Ukrainians recall one of their greatest leaders. She - yes, she - was Princess Olha of KYIVAN RUS'. Olha was born sometime around 890.

OLHA was the wife of Prince IHOR, mother of SVIATOSLAV Ihorevych and grandmother of Prince VOLODYMYR the GREAT.

She was also the first Rus' ruler to become a CHRISTIAN. (Some sources give the date of her baptism as 955 in Constantinople, while others say it was in 957 in Kyiv.) Though her son chose to remain a pagan, he allowed a Christian community to develop in Kyiv. It was Olha's grandson Volodymyr who Christianized the REALM.

After her husband was killed, Olha avenged his death and subdued the rebellious tribe of DEREVLIANY. She is known for expanding Kyiv's central power and for strengthening relations with CONSTANTINOPLE.

Olha ruled Kyivan Rus' as her son's REGENT in 945-957, while he was not yet of age to assume the THRONE and while he was away on military campaigns.

PRINCESS Olha died on July 11, 969, in Kyiv. Prince Volodymyr the Great had her remains buried in the Church of the Tithes (DESIATYNNA Tserkva) in Kyiv. Olha was canonized during the first half of the 13th century.

Today we celebrate St. Olha's FEAST day on July 11 (or July 24 according to the old-style, or Julian, calendar).

Source: Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Volume III. Toronto: University of Toronto Press Inc., 1993.

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