Newark school graduates eighth graders and kindergartners

NEWARK, N.J. - St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School celebrated the achievements of two graduating classes during the month of June.

On June 2, the parochial school bid farewell to the eighth grade class of seven boys: Andriy Brukh, Bobby Cpin, Paul Jarymowycz, Roman Lukiw, Alexander Lyashchenko, Mark Vitvitsky and Bohdan Yaremko.

The commencement program was preceded by a special divine liturgy celebrated by the Very Rev. Frank Szadiak CSsR, pastor of St. John's. During a ceremony in the church hall, the graduates, their families and friends, and faculty were addressed by the school's principal, Sister Chrysostom OSBM, and the Rev. Szadiak, who presented the diplomas.

The valedictory address was delivered in the Ukrainian language by Mr. Yaremko, while the salutatorian, Mr. Jarymowycz, spoke in English. Both graduates recalled their days at St. John's with both sentiment and levity. A particularly touching moment came when the entire class of young men sang the well-known theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" as a tribute to their alma mater. Their teacher, Helen Milanytch, proudly looked on.

Several days later, on June 10, St. John's School marked yet another milestone, with the graduation of its kindergarten class of 16 boys and two girls.

The graduates - most of whom will return next year to St. John's as first graders - were: Adam Boyko, Dillan Gawlik, Paul Hadzewycz, Daria Hapon, Michael and Roman Jablonskyj, Alexander Kleban, Mark Kochan, Markian Martynetz, Patrick McNally Jr., Joanna Podberezniak, Justyn Pyz, Sviatoslav Serediak, Justin Stasiuk, Dennis Torielli, Taras Varshavsky, Volodimir Vlasyuk and Lev Wolansky.

During the graduation program in the school auditorium, the littlest graduates of St. John's demonstrated some of what they had learned during their first year of full-day schooling thanks to the guidance of their teacher, Olga Stasiuk. The program took the audience around the world via a series of skits, dances and songs presented in English and Ukrainian by the children attired in appropriate hats and costumes.

The program ended with the distribution of diplomas to the children, now dressed in white caps and gowns, as their schoolmates from the higher grades applauded.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 13, 1997, No. 28, Vol. LXV

| Home Page |