UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (04/13/03)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Tamburitzans provide a learning experience, and fun, for SUM group

by the Metelyky

PASSAIC, N.J. - We are the Metelyky, a group of girls age 10-13 who belong to the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) branch in Passaic, N.J. At the beginning of our SUM season this past October, our counselor, Lillianna Chudolij, gave us a mission. In two weeks we each had to return to our meeting with information on one of the following Eastern European countries: Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Georgia and Armenia.

Homework - just what we always wanted! But we did it anyway. Two weeks later we came back and shared all of our new information with each other. It turned out to be pretty interesting. We learned about native languages, foods, customs, religions, traditional costumes, dances, physical appearances, population and also these countries' geographic relationship with Ukraine.

Our counselor then enthusaistically informed us that now we were ready to experience the "Tammies" and that she had planned for us to attend their March 29 performance in Hackensack, N.J. Now we were totally lost. Who are the Tammies?

Then came our next lesson. It turns out that the Tammies are the world-renowned Duquesne University Tamburitzans of Pittsburgh. They specialize in the preservation and presentation of - you guessed it - Eastern European cultures. All 40 performers, age 18-22, come from every kind of ethnic background you can think of and are on scholarships to Duquesne University.

The students present 80 concerts a year on weekends and during semester breaks. Along with the usual band instruments, these students play folk instruments such as bandura, tambura, cimbalom, three different kinds of accordions, and a host of folk woodwind and bag instruments like sopilka and dudka. Now we understood why we had to learn all that cultural stuff.

Our next mission: to earn the money so we could afford to go. We all went right to work by organizing two very successful bake sales and a hugely successful Valentine's raffle. Luckily we made enough money to cover the cost of all 16 of our $20 tickets.

March 29 was our big night out. Mrs. Chudolij had prepared a surprise for us all. Out of the 80 Ukrainians organized for this event, only we, the Metelyky, and our family members had been granted VIP backstage passes for before and after the show, as well as two private tours featuring the meeting of cast and crew, seeing costumes, props, trunks, instruments and later the tour bus.

Our first tour guide was Annie Stafura, who happens to be the daughter of the managing director, Paul Stafura. She was amiable and kind, and took us backstage to where only cast and crew were allowed.

This is how Annie explained all of the details about being a Tammie to us (we're paraphrasing, of course): You have a tough but rewarding schedule of performances which everyone is used to, you bring your schoolwork with you on the bus, you have a trunk for all of your dozen or more costumes, you have a trunk partner who shares your space, you have to iron all of your own clothes (guys, too), you have to be organized and quick because you only get about two-three minutes to change between each appearance on stage, and you have to make sure that you pack up everything right and it doesn't get lost so that it's all ready for the next show or for loading the bus.

Before any of this is possible, you go to Tamburitzan camp in July to learn a brand new show every year - and you only have three weeks to do it. There you meet with voice and diction coaches to teach you how to pronounce all of the songs needed from all of the different countries showcased that season. You also learn new folk dances from every country from various choreographers and everyone has to learn to play at least one or two folk instruments whether you play an instrument or not and in addition to the instrument they already play. At the end of camp, the Tamburitzans go on a non-stop nine-day tour to get all the kinks out. From then on the North American tour goes into full swing.

We were exhausted just from hearing all of the details. We were all just so amazed by everyone and everything. As we were walking backstage, Annie mentioned that she knew that we were the Ukrainian group and that she hoped that we would like the Ukrainian segment of the show. Just at that moment, a young man jumped out from behind an ironing board and yelled out, "Hey! I'm Ukrainian, too! And I can prove it!" And with that he excitedly showed us his large tryzub on his right ankle. This was our first meeting with cast member Matt (Matvii) Haritan from Pennsylvania, a senior majoring in communications and multimedia.

Not wanting the show to start late because of us, we quickly took our seats so that Annie could finish getting ready. Some of us were anxious, some nervous, some excited, but all of us glad to be in the auditorium waiting for the curtain to go up. And when it did - wow! For the next two and a half hours, we were glued to our seats. Even the 15-minute intermission seemed too long because we were so interested in seeing the rest of the show.

Every performer was professional and equally talented in his or her own way. It seemed that each played two or three instruments or more and that the ensemble sang and danced as if they were all from every individually showcased country. Every country's representation was unique and inviting, and taught us even more about the cultures we had researched.

This was in no way a boring concert. It was like nothing else we had ever experienced before. When the finale came, we couldn't believe that the show was over. We sat in awe at what we had just witnessed. Although we all felt something different about the Tammies, we all agreed on one thing: this spectacular group is worth seeing again and again. Every year the show is different, so every year you get that much more out of it.

We promised each other that night that next year's field trip would be again to see the Tamburitzans. These individuals have inspired us as role models, as great performers and as superior students with great discipline and strength. Seeing them made us realize how important it is to never forget your own culture. Now we appreciate being Ukrainian that much more.

A perfect ending to the evening was the opportunity to get autographs from various cast members and to have a photo opportunity with a few of the cast members. Matt Haritan provided us with a lasting look at the Tamburitzans' soon-to-be-retired tour bus. It just amazed us that all of the students bring their work with them, along with their pillows and comforters, and get their work done week after week. They just seem to be superhuman and super-dedicated.

Out of this experience, two of us Metelyky are aiming to become Tamburitzans and to attend Duquesne University. After all, if we keep our cultural roots alive and practice on a few instruments, become better dancers, sing Ukrainian songs with enthusiasm - who knows, in a few years, that could be one of us on stage.

St. Nicholas School celebrates Catholic Schools Week

by Grades 7 and 8

PASSAIC, N.J. - St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School marked Catholic Schools Week during the last week of January as a unique way for the school to celebrate our Byzantine Catholic faith. The kids think of this week as a time for fun and relaxation from mid-terms, but it is really a time for sharing, caring and becoming active and outgoing Catholics in our community. The week's activities were largely based on this year's theme, "Making a World of Difference."

On Sunday, the schoolchildren sang in the choir at the 10 a.m. divine liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Catholic Church. After the liturgy the children sang songs of thanks to the parish for all their support for our school, and read "A+ Parent" essays to the congregation. Afterwards, the school invited the whole parish to a "Parish Appreciation Breakfast," at which a full breakfast of eggs, sausage, bagels, coffee, and juice was offered to everyone who came.

On Monday, the entire student body wrote letters to people we wanted to thank for supporting our school. Each grade found a creative way to thank someone. Second grade made cards for the Ladies Auxiliary and the Fire Department, the third grade sang to the ladies who make varenyky; the fourth grade wrote to the Self Reliance Credit Union.

On Tuesday we received a special treat when Father Marcel Szabo, pastor of St. Michael's Cathedral in Passaic, gave a talk on vocations. He spoke on the meaning of "no," the forgotten love word. He explained that when a parent or teacher says "no" to something you want to do, they do it because they love you and want to protect you. He reminded us of the importance of the "Ten Commandments" in our daily lives. We also learned about and named our guardian angels. In the end, Father Marcel gave the whole school special gifts - inspirational wall scrolls of the Archangel Michael.

Wednesday was "Wild West Day." We all dressed up as cowgirls and cowboys, and for lunch we had such Ponderosa fare as hot dogs, corn muffins, jello and iced tea. The seventh and eighth grade girls taught the entire school how to line dance. The eighth grade boys ran games such as pin the badge on the sheriff, dig for gold coins, hot snake and lasso the cactus. Fun was had by all.

Thursday was "Act of Kindness Day." Each class did something kind for another class. Grades 7 and 8 made an Indian treasure hunt for Grade 3. Grades 5 and 6 read a book and taught pre-K the "ketchup dance." The first graders cleaned out fourth graders' desks. Everyone was having fun while we learned how to be kind to each other.

On Friday, "Teacher Appreciation Day," as a sign of thankfulness and appreciation for all the wisdom and intelligence that the teachers give us, the Grade 8 students taught in pre-K through Grade 7. The eighth graders learned how much patience and hard work it takes to be a teacher. The teachers were also treated to a "Teacher Appreciation Luncheon" to show how much we appreciate them for all the hard work that they do for the students and for the school.

"Family Bingo Night" brought a happy end to Catholic Schools Week. It was a time when the families got together to have fun. Everyone played Bingo, ate pizza, won great prizes,and had a blast.

Catholic Schools Week was a great learning experience. We learned how to unite as a Byzantine Catholic School, and all the days of the week were fun and educational. We think Catholic Schools Week is one of the wonderful things offered in a Catholic School.

Newark Plast branch members encounter "a touch of nature"

by Lydia Lukianenko-Moczula

WHIPPANY, N.J. - Members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization have always pledged to respect and take care of nature and their environment.

The Newark Plast troops went one step future this past winter and had nature come to them.

Christine Zelenka from "A Touch of Nature" arrived in Whippany, N.J., where Plast groups hold their meetings courtesy of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, with big and small suitcases filled with many furry, scaly and feathery creatures.

Her "Miss Frizzle" approach to introducing the animals to the children was hands-on - the children were taught how to "call" the animals in the wild, how the animals protect themselves and how they survive in the wild.

The Whippany meeting with nature was funded by Plast-Pryiat, the parents' and supporters' group that functions as an adjunct to Plast.

This May the youngest members of Plast will continue their lessons in nature and the environment by venturing out to the beach. "Sviato Vesny," their annual springtime outing, will be held at Sandy Hook, N.J., on May 18.

The day will begin with traditional Plast events and in the afternoon the Plast children of the Newark and Passaic branches will join the New Jersey Marine Science Consortium staff for a "Coastal Experience in Marine Science and Ecology."

Hillside students prep parish for Easter

by Joseph Shatynski

HILLSIDE, N.J. - The children from the Religious Education Program at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Parish launched an innovative program designed to lead the parish in spiritually preparing for the Easter Season.

The children, from various religious education classes, worked together to design a program that would encourage parishioners to perform special good deeds during Lent and offer them as sacrifices to Jesus. The children prepared a letter to the parishioners that was written in both English and Ukrainian that explained the program - emphasizing that a beautiful way to say "Thank You, Jesus" was to do special good deeds.

They explained the program to the parishioners at the annual parish meeting in February and asked for their participation.

In addition, they created a "Thank You, Jesus" poster where parishioners could anonymously post forms highlighting good deeds they performed as a result of the program.

At the annual parish meeting, Danylo Szpyhulsky commented: "To do something for Jesus this Lent, we have promised to do at least one special good deed and offer our sacrifices to Jesus. We would like you to help us thank Jesus, too, by joining us in our pledge effort. We think that Jesus would be even happier if everyone in the parish participated in this challenge. This way, together, we can positively impact the world around us and we think that is exactly what Jesus would want us to do."

Krista Erakovic remarked "I am very happy to focus on truly saying 'Thank You, Jesus' in a meaningful way. I really hope that all the parishioners join us in trying to make the world a better place."

Thomas Feld said, "I really liked working with the children from the other classes on this."

Looking at the "Thank You, Jesus" poster, parishioners could appreciate some of the good deeds that were anonymously done, such as: visited a sick member of the parish; healed a family conflict; reconciled with a neighbor after a long dispute; read the Bible; supported a new charity; helped an elderly neighbor shovel snow.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna - dedicated to the last days (we hope) of winter - please find the words or phrases listed below.

Arctic air, blizzard, drizzle, ice, freezing rain, skates, skis, sled, sleet, snowboard, snowflakes, snowshoes, snowsquall, snowstorm, toboggan, wind, wintry mix

PS: For an extra challenge, see how many times you can find the word "snow."

Passaic Plast kids enjoy skating trip

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - On Sunday, March 2, the Plast branch of Passaic, N.J., went on its third annual ice skating trip to Montclair Clary Andersen Arena. (That's us in the photo on the right.) There, we enjoyed each other's company. Some of our members stepped on the ice for the very first time. Within a few minutes, even the newest ice skaters had gained confidence, as they were assisted by the more adept in making it around the rink. By the last laps almost everyone could skate with ease. Overall, we agree that it was a wonderful experience and look foward to our next Plast outing.

- Laryssa Patti

OUR NEXT ISSUE: UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated May 11, please send in your materials by May 2.

We especially encourage kids and teens to submit articles. Don't you want to see your name in print?

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Write to: 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 include a daytime phone number.)

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