Ukrainian School

“Learn, my brothers Think and read, And learn from all others, But do not forget your own. Those who forget their mother – God does punish, Children forsake them, And let them not into their home” Taras Shevchenko      These words were written by the great Ukrainian poet-kobzar as a bequest to his countrymen almost 150 years ago. These words are still relevant today. That is why we have in our community the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School. It was started many years ago by the previous generation of Ukrainian immigrants. Now it is supported by the newest wave. Every Saturday the school is filled with teachers, children and their parents who are not indifferent to whether their children know the Ukrainian language or not. The school, currently located at St. Mary Protectress Church at 3176 St. Paul Blvd, has its own program and traditions. The students learn Ukrainian language, literature, history, geography and the culture of Ukraine.      Each year teachers and students organize two concerts, one in the winter for St. Nicholas and the other in the spring in honor of Taras Shevchenko. This year, the Shevchenko concert was held March 15, 2009 to commemorate the 195th anniversary of Shevchenko`s birth. It was a real celebration of Ukrainian poetry and music. Students sang and recited Shevchenko’s poetry. Tania Miller presented a medley of Shevchenko songs. The “Golden Strings” ensemble presented melodies on the bandura. The “Surma” choir concluded the concert with well-known Shevchenko classics “Bequest” and “The Wide-Spread Dnieper Roars And Moans.”      The main participants in the concert were, of course, Ukrainian School children and students. All enjoyed seeing them on stage - singing and reciting poems. The teachers` hard work resulted in students who did not forget their Ukrainian roots and heritage. Without roots, as a traditional Ukrainian song goes: “Everything Living Dries”.      In writing this article, I would like to remind our readers that Ukrainian school will again start a new school year in September 2009. Parents are kindly encouraged and invited to enroll their kids at the Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies

COMMUNITY FOCUS on our UFCU YOUth …          

      It’s fun to spend money, but it can also be fun to SAVE money! It’s not as hard as you think, especially when you have a budget plan!
Mitten Club for ages 0-18
With as little as $40, you can open an account in a child’s name and start earning dividends right away with no monthly service charges. All Mitten Club members are eligible for:

• gift deposits
• special event discounts
• holiday prize drawings

      Help grow their savings even faster when you make regular deposits through payroll deduction. At age 18, Mitten Club accounts automatically convert to adult account.
Managing Money While in College

      Saving money in college should be a priority. First save for your tuition each semester or quarter by working summer jobs, or part time during the school year. This can really make a difference in the amount you may end up borrowing. You should definitely have an  emergency fund saved as well, for all those unexpected expenses.                                                  

     Josef T. Lopuchowycz graduated from Kendall High School in June 2008 where he was involved in the Senior High Band, Jazz Band, Science Olympiad, Masterminds and track. Joe earned his Eagle Scout Rank by doing a community service project for the Median Home Health Care by paving a 50 foot sidewalk, and landscaping and improving public area for personnel and clients. In his junior year of high school, Joe decided to join the United States Air Force. On August 4, 2008 Joe left for San Antonio, Texas where he began his six weeks of training. Included in his training was the Air Force Mission, organization, core values and military customs and courtesies. He performed drill and ceremony marches, rifle markmanship, filed training exercises and training in human relations. He received his Airman’s Coin on Sept 18 and graduated on Sept 19, 2008. Joe is the son of Thomas and Tia Lopuchowycz of Holley, NY., grandson of Helen J Lopuchowycz and cousin of UFCU Board Member Wolodymyr Pylyshenko.

Where are they now!

2007 UFCU Board of Directors Scholarship recipient and former Mitten Club member Olga Kravets is an academically and artistically accomplished member. A graduate of the School of the Arts in Rochester, NY with a major in dance, Olga was the 2007 class valedictorian. She also was student government president, member of the National Honor Society, student-representative to the School-Based Planning Team, an AP scholar, a four-year performer in the SOTA Dance Concert and student choreographer for the SOTA Dance Showcase. Olga received the 2007 Young Women of Distinction Award from the Greater Rochester Women’s Council. Currently she attends Wagner College, pursuing a degree in International Business. Congratulations!

2006 UFCU scholarship winner Olena Malanchyn graduated from high school in Ukraine in 1992.  She came to the United States in 2002 with her husband Ruslan. A student at Monroe Community College, she is studying finance and international business.  Olena has been on the Dean’s List all four semesters with a GPA of 3.5.  Current Olena is a student intern at the UFCU Main Office in Rochester, NY learning credit union accounting and assisting in the teller area.  She lives in Hamlin, NY with her husband and three children, Martha 12, Julia 4 and Daniel 9 months.