The 75th anniversary of the Vasyl Stus School of Ukrainian Studies, a unique educational institution that is already educating the fourth generation of Ukrainians and shaping Ukrainian identity among the diaspora, was celebrated in Chicago. The festive banquet was held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center with the participation of graduates, teachers, parents, students and friends of the school. An exhibition was also opened at the Ukrainian National Museum for the anniversary, and a commemorative book about the school, which is the only one among Ukrainian schools in the United States to have official accreditation in the state of Illinois, is being prepared.
This was reported by the V. Stus School of Ukrainian Studies in Chicago.
“In 2025, our school will celebrate its 75th anniversary – an event that is a testament to the love for the Ukrainian language, culture and traditions in the heart of Chicago,” the post says.
As reported, the celebration was attended by graduates of different generations, teachers, parents, students and a wide circle of friends of the school. The guests recalled the origins of the educational institution, honored its founders and thanked the teachers who for decades supported the continuity of Ukrainian education overseas. Today, the educational institution continues to sow the seeds of knowledge and cultivate in students a love for their native language under the leadership of Director Natalia Ponomareva.
The meeting with former teachers and graduates was especially warm, many of whom still take an active part in the public life of the Ukrainian community of Chicago.
The festive program was prepared by music teacher Kateryna Kishka together with the school students, creating a festive and sincere atmosphere. The concert program of the event was also supplemented by a performance by singer Valeria Vovk and other famous local performers.
It was also noted that the organization and holding of the anniversary event was supported by the Ukrainian People's Union, the Samopomich Credit Bank, the Spadshchyna Foundation, the Samopomich Foundation, and numerous donors who traditionally help the school.
“Your support is an unwavering support for our common cause – the preservation and nurturing of Ukrainian education overseas,” the post notes.
According to the organizers, special thanks were expressed to the executive director of the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America, Maria Klymchak, a long-time teacher at the school, who received a certificate on the occasion of the anniversary. She is actively involved in cultural and educational projects of the community and is considered one of the symbols of the continuity of generations at the “Native School”. Also, a certificate for the constant support of the school was received by the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago, Serhiy Koledov, as well as teachers, parents, and those who have been involved in the development and support of the school all these years.
In her post on the occasion of the anniversary, Maria Klymchak shared deep personal memories of working at the school in the 1990s.
“Ten years are an important part of my life in emigration in the 90s, when I worked in my first profession. Since then, I have had to change my profession more than once, but my work has always been connected with Ukrainian culture and cultural diplomacy, as a curator of the Ukrainian National Museum, as an editor of the Ukrainian Wave radio, and now on the wave of direct communication with the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. I am grateful to my graduates who chose me as their teacher of Ukrainian culture and their native language. Twenty-five years ago, I was on the committee for organizing the school’s golden anniversary and, just like now, stood behind the podium, taking a promise from the graduates to meet together at the turn of the century,” Maria Klymchak said.
She also spoke about the important role of her mentor Iryna Haetska, a well-known teacher of Ukrainian origin from Canada, who was also awarded a diploma.
“Ms. Iryna is an example of a Ukrainian who never assimilated into the Canadian-American environment. Her roots are in the Ternopil region, her grandmother came to Canada at the end of the 19th century, her mother was born there in Manitoba, and in the 30s, Ms. Iryna herself. She graduated from university and taught French. The Ukrainian language and culture were with her from the cradle, so it is not surprising that her children and grandchildren studied and continue to study at their native school. This year, Ms. Iryna also received a diploma. Thanks to her geography lessons, students understood that being Ukrainian is pride and love. This anniversary has become a kind of bridge between generations for us personally,” Klymchak summarized.
It is worth noting that the festive banquet is the only event, as part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary, the institution has planned a number of other interesting and important events. In particular, the publication of a commemorative book, which will collect archival materials from the moment the school was founded, congratulatory words from officials from both Ukraine and the USA.
Also, the opening of a grand exhibition took place at the Ukrainian National Museum, which will last until the end of November. The exhibition is organized jointly by the Museum and the school, and highlights the history of the foundation and activities of one of the largest Ukrainian schools in the diaspora.
“It all started with a few teachers and 13 children. The beginning of the studies was conducted at billiard tables. Later, the school moved to the classrooms of the St. Nicholas School. We studied in two shifts, because the school had 750 students. The story of the school principal, Ms. Natalia Ponomareva, who told about the most famous school principals - Nadia Khoynatska and Lyuba Markevich. About the significant visits and blessings from Cardinal Joseph the Blind and His Beatitude Metropolitan Sviatoslav. At the end, a film about the most interesting events at the school was presented,” the exhibition was told at the Ukrainian National Museum.
Background
The Vasyl Stus School of Ukrainian Studies in Chicago is one of the oldest Ukrainian educational institutions in the USA. This is the only accredited Ukrainian school in the state of Illinois, and its educational credits are recognized by the state's universities, which makes the study not only culturally important, but also academically valuable. Upon completion of the study, students receive a certificate that can be used to credit the subjects of the Ukrainian language, literature, history and geography of Ukraine, which allows parents to save an average of up to eight thousand dollars in university expenses.
The school teaches children from preschool and kindergarten to tenth grade. Education is provided in the format of Saturday school. Today, the institution has about 140 students, and the number is constantly growing, because new families come to school almost every Saturday.
Structurally, the school consists of a director, teaching staff and a parent council. Teachers are responsible for the educational process, and the parent council takes on all organizational and financial issues.
The uniqueness of the school lies not only in its official accreditation, but also in the fact that many children from bilingual families, for whom Ukrainian is not the first language, study here. It is in this school that they learn their native language, get used to Ukrainian traditions, and form their own identity.
Among the famous graduates of the school are journalist and public figure Marta Kolomyets, Rear Admiral of the US Medical Service Borys Lyushniak, Chairman of the Ukrainian People's Union Roman Nahirniak, as well as active community leaders Marta Farion, Motrya Melnyk, and Lydia Kachok, etc. They emphasize that it was the Ukrainian Studies School that formed their connection with Ukraine and provided the foundation of values.
The main mission of the school is to educate children in love for God, for Ukraine, and in respect for their parents.
Photo: Школи українознавства ім. В. Стуса в Чикаго
Author: Inna Mikhno