Ukrainian singer heads for final of "Canadian Idol" competition (09/19/04)

Ukrainian singer heads for final of "Canadian Idol" competition

SASKATOON - It's down to the wire for Ukrainian Canadian singer Theresa Sokyrka as she takes the stage on Thursday, September 16 (as The Ukrainian Weekly goes to press) in the final of CTV's "Canadian Idol," a televised nationwide search for the country's next pop superstar.

Ms. Sokyrka, 23, is one of two finalists who emerged from a field of 9,000 competitors. The "prairie girl" from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as she has been called, will compete against Kalan Porter, 18, who comes from a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta.

In a previous round of "Canadian Idol," Ms. Sokyrka and fellow Ukrainian Canadian Kyla Sandulak were among 32 singers remaining in the competition (see The Weekly, July 4). They appeared in auditions that were broadcast on June 3, and both made it to the national public voting round. Ms. Sandulak appeared on TV on June 16 and 17, while Ms. Sokyrka appeared on June 30 and July 1.

The Canadian Press reported that when Ms. Sokyrka was asked by CTV's "Canadian Idol" what she would most like to do on her whirlwind 24-hour tour to Saskatoon, she knew the answer immediately.

"I want to go back to my elementary school to see my former classmates and teachers who played such an important part in the development of my love and appreciation for my music and my Ukrainian culture," she told the news service.

The CP reported that on August 27, in the middle of her Idol journey, Ms. Sokyrka was able to return to the Ukrainian-English bilingual school to sign autographs and talk to teachers and students. The visit was not open to the general public, yet 400 invited guests packed the school gym for the singer's visit.

Multiculturalism Matters, the newsletter of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, carried the following information about the visit.

An emotional visit

"It was a very emotional, a very proud moment," said Cecilia Kachkowski, a Grade 1 teacher at the school, which currently provides about 170 children in K-8 with academic skills in Ukrainian, an understanding of the Ukrainian Byzantine Church tradition and an appreciation for the Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage within Canada's mosaic of cultures. They explore the many facets of Ukrainian culture such as traditional music, literature, costume, dance, foods, art, crafts and architecture. Students can continue their Ukrainian studies at E.D. Feehan High School.

Theresa was in Grade 3 when she began the Ukrainian-English bilingual program. To catch up to her classmates, she had to learn three grades of Ukrainian in one year. For most students, this would be too difficult. But not for Theresa. "She's persistent," said her father, Harold Sokyrka. "When you give her a task she completes it."

Harold and Sonia Sokyrka moved to Saskatoon from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with their family in 1989 and Mr. Sokyrka said they couldn't pass up the chance for their youngest daughter to attend the only Ukrainian-English bilingual program in Saskatchewan, then at St. Goretti School. Now at Holy Family School, the St. Nicholas Ukrainian-English bilingual program provides students with the opportunity to learn in Ukrainian for half of each day. "It is superior," said Mr. Sokyrka. "I can't speak more highly of it."

Theresa, now 23, has become a role model for the students, who made signs to show their support and asked for the singer's autograph. "She presents herself so well," said Ms. Kachkowski, who helped roll out the red carpet for Theresa's visit. "She's considerate, kind and always cares about others." The visit featured a Power Point presentation about Theresa's school days and Idol journey, as well as trivia questions about her life and was part of the bilingual program's 25th anniversary celebrations. Theresa's Grade 1 and high school music teachers were among those at the reception.

"It's just a wonderful school," said Mr. Sokyrka, who described the reception as a tear jerker - but a happy one. "They were tears of joy."

A stopover at Ukraine Day

On August 28, the day after her visit to Holy Family School, Ms. Sokyrka visited Saskatoon's Ukraine Day in the Park, where she was welcomed by a crowd of 3,000.

After being home for 27 hours, the singer departed for Toronto that afternoon to continue her preparations for "Canadian Idol."

A member of the UNA

Ms. Sokyrka is a member of Ukrainian National Association Branch 444.

According to the Ukrainian National Association's director for Canada, Albert Kachkowski, "There is an incredible amount of excitement across the country" over Ms. Sokyrka's participation in "Canadian Idol."

He added, "My wife and I just got an invitation to sit in the VIP section for the final show at 6 p.m. our time (broadcast by satellite from Toronto) at Credit Union Place, our hockey arena that seats 11,000 people. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and admission will be free to the public. It will be interesting to see how many people show up."

Mr. Kachkowski also noted that the City Council named August and September "Theresa months," and he underscored that "Theresa is a huge winner no matter what happens."

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