JENKINTOWN, Pa. – On Monday, March 26, students of St. Basil Academy in Jenkintown, Pa., participated in a poetry recitation contest honoring Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) that was organized and sponsored by the St. Sophia Religious Association in Philadelphia.
The judges – Iryna Ivankovych, executive director of the St. Sophia Religious Association, and Alexandra Penkalskyj, vice-principal of St. Basil Academy – graded each performance on the fluency of the recitation, clarity of pronunciation, intonation, artistic performance and expression.
The runner-up of the contest was Maria Storck (Grade 10), and the winner was Elizabeth Gorodenchuk (Grade 11).
Presenting awards to the contestants, Dr. Ivankovych congratulated them on their participation characterized by “a hot heart and cool head.” All contestants were presented commemorative certificates and gifts. The main sponsor of the event presented the runners-up and winners with prizes.
This is the first poetry recitation contest organized by the St. Sophia Association for the students of St. Basil Academy.