UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (02/10/02)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Readers report a busy December: concerts, plays, etc.

During the month of December it appears that many of our UKELODEON readers were very busy with Christmas concerts and visits of St. Nicholas.

The proof appears on this page in photos received from readers who attend St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark, N.J., and the Lesia Ukrainka School of Ukrainian Studies in Morris County, N.J., as well as those who are parishioners of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hillside, N.J.

In the top photo, students of the lower grades of St. John's perform at the school's annual Christmas concert, which has become not only a tradition, but also a favorite event for both the school and the parish community. The children from kindergarten through eighth grade perform a variety of Ukrainian Christmas carols and stage a "vertep," or re-enactment of the Nativity story.

The middle photo shows a scene from the play presented on the occasion of St. Nicholas' visit to the students of the school of Ukrainian studies that holds classes weekly in Randolph, N.J. In the photo the young audience is obviously enthralled by a group of "chortyky" (little devils) who appeared on the scene before they were banished by an archangel.

Finally, the bottom photo shows children of Immaculate Conception parish after they welcomed St. Nicholas in their midst, receiving numerous gifts. The local children, and adults, also presented a holiday entertainment program in honor of the revered guest.

NEWSFLASH

Read about the preparations of Ukraine's Olympic team for the Winter Games that open this weekend in Salt Lake City. See the articles - written by The Ukrainian Weekly's own correspondent on the scene - that appear on pages 1, 10 and 11.

UKELODEON is 3!

This issue marks the third anniversary of UKELODEON, a special section of The Ukrainian Weekly that was created in February 1999 to serve as a forum for what we like to call "the next generation" - those who are now growing up within our community and, hopefully, one day will be its leaders.

From the very start, UKELODEON was meant to be for young readers and by young readers. It was envisioned as a space where our youth, from kindergartners to teens, could come to learn, to exchange information, to relate their experiences and to keep in touch with each other.

Though UKELODEON is prepared by the editorial staff of The Ukrainian Weekly working in conjunction with Lydia Smyk, an elementary school teacher at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark, N.J., its main contributors are its young readers.

And, indeed, during the three years it has been published, UKELODEON has received articles, letters, essays and photos from readers in the United States, Canada and Australia. It pages have shone the spotlight on budding scientists, young gymnasts, aspiring roller hockey players, as well as musicians, dancers, math wizzes, chess players, sailors, actors, debaters, scuba divers - you name it! It has reported on the activities of schools and youth groups - including one class that elected George W. Bush president before the rest of the country did.

UKELODEON has highlighted news about countless good deeds done by children, including one little girl who saved a neighbor's life. Often UKELODEON has been the place where young readers/writers shared their reflections on being Ukrainian, growing up, going to Ukrainian school, etc.

With your input, Dear Young Readers, UKELODEON will continue to serve as your forum, in keeping with the story behind the name for this monthly section. As we explained in our inaugural issue three years ago, the root of the word, "odeon," is from the Greek word "oideion," a small building used for public performances of music and poetry. Similarly, our UKELODEON is a public space where our Ukrainian community's children can come and share with their peers.

So, we reissue our standing invitation to all of you. Let's keep in touch through UKELODEON.

PS: The editorial staff of The Ukrainian Weekly would like to take this opportunity to thank our dear collaborator, Lydia Smyk, who has worked with us on UKELODEON since its introduction on February 14, 1999.

Six-year-old to debut in opera production

NEWARK, N.J. - Six-year-old Orest Pyndus will make his debut in an opera production later this month when he plays the role of "Trouble" - the son of the lead character, Cio-Cio-San, in the opera "Madama Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini.

Orest, who celebrated his birthday on January 31, attends St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark. He is the son of Roman and Iryna Pyndus.

According to a press release issued by the New Jersey State Opera, Orest loves to draw pictures of the universe and buildings, and play video games. He has appeared in school plays and says he is preparing for a career as a performer, or an architect, or ... whatever strikes his fancy the day he is asked what he wants to be.

"Madama Butterfly" will be presented on February 22 and 24 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, with Maestro Alfredo Silipigni conducting.

An added highlight for little Orest as he takes the stage on February 22 will be the presence in the audience of the newly elected governor of New Jersey, James E. McGreevey, and his wife, Dina Matos McGreevey.

(Ticket information: 973-733-5775.)

Mykola's Valentine to all his friends

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna, search for the capitalized words below.

The month of FEBRUARY is a very busy month indeed. Not only because you will be busy sending VALENTINE'S Day cards to your friends, but this month you will probably watch TV more than ever, because the United States is the host of the 2002 Winter OLYMPICS.

Do you know that it was in 1994 in Lillehammer, NORWAY, that UKRAINE competed for the first time as an independent country in the Olympic Games? Do you know that the first modern Olympics were held in 1896 in GREECE? Figure out how many years ago that was!

The previous Winter Olympics took place very far from the United States in JAPAN, in Nagano, and the last Summer Olympics were held "DOWN UNDER," in Sydney, AUSTRALIA. Our Ukrainian flag was carried there by the world-famous pole vaulter Serhii BUBKA, who holds the most world RECORDS ever achieved by a single athlete.

During this Winter Olympics our Ukrainian athletes will be very busy, as they will compete in ELEVEN events, among them, BIATHLON, BOBSLED, FIGURE skating, freestyle SKIING and ICE hockey. Of course we wish them success and of course we will watch them on TV. We are very PROUD of the SEVENTY members of Ukraine's 2002 Winter Olympic TEAM who will be in SALT Lake City, UTAH.

OUR NEXT ISSUE:

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated March 10, please send in your materials by March 1.

Please drop us a line:

UKELODEON, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510. Call us at (973) 292-9800; or send e-mail to staff@ukrweekly.com. (We ask all contributors to please include a daytime phone number.

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