WHIPPANY, N.J. – At the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) 71st annual National Convention held in Whippany, N.J., on October 4-6, the recipients of the UAV scholarship awards for 2018 were announced.
The UAV Scholarship Committee selects and awards scholarship money to matriculated undergraduate college students. The purpose of the scholarship awards is to help students pay for books or school supplies.
Students are required to write an essay (400-500 words) about a current military or related topic. The topics for this year are: the war on terrorism, human rights, the negative effects of wars on American veterans, Russian aggression against sovereign countries and Ukrainian American veterans’ contributions to America’s wars. Students can chose any one of these five topics for their essay. Other criteria considered for a scholarship award are academic achievement and extracurricular activities.
This year, seven students applied and received scholarship awards.
Wyatt Jackson Derkach (North Carolina) attends the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in criminal justice. He is the recipient of the $500 award in memory of Michael Demchuk, who started the UAV Scholarship Fund in 1992-1993.
Brandon Paul Hrycak (New Jersey) attends the University of California Irvine, majoring in environmental science and policy, and is the recipient of the Post 40 award of $300.
Anjelika Kuziv (Illinois) attends the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, majoring in molecular and cellular biology. She is the recipient of the Post 40 award of $300.
Deanna Marie Koski (New York), who attends Pace University, majoring in film and screen studies, is the recipient of the UAV Ladies Auxiliary award of $300.
Julianna Rose Shatynski (New Jersey) attends The College of New Jersey, majoring in elementary education, and is the recipient of the $300 award.
Two students received $200 awards: Andreya Natalia Pencak (New Jersey) attends Quinnipiac University, where she is majoring in physical therapy; Alexander Ihor Kowinko (Connecticut) attends Sacred Heart University, majoring in nursing.
The scholarship committee thanked all the students for participating and wished them a successful academic year. In addition, the committee thanked all who donated to make the UAV scholarship awards possible.
Students interested in applying for the UAV Scholarship Award should fill out an application, send their college transcript (unofficial copy), write an essay on one of this year’s topics, and e-mail a digital photo of themselves. Applications are available on the UAV website: www.uavets.org.
To be eligible for a UAV scholarship, applicants must be descendants of or related to Ukrainian American veterans. Applicants should be full-time undergraduate college students in a degree program. Students attending accredited trade schools or institutions that have a degree program also are eligible. Students can apply while in their senior year in high school; college attendance will be verified before the awards are given in the fall semester. Applications are accepted all-year round, and the deadline is August 31. Students may reapply for scholarship awards in subsequent years.
Applications for the scholarship should be sent to the UAV National Scholarship Officer, Nicholas Skirka, at 109 Windsor Terrace, Yonkers, N.Y., 10701. For additional information, e-mail [email protected] or call 914-965-3707.
The UAV National Scholarship Committee includes: John Galik, Peter Olijarczyk, Maksym Makarczuk and Russel Olijarczyk.