4^th Annual Graduation of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian School

By Daria Luciw

On Saturday, May 12, 2007, in Toronto, at Baby Point Lounge and Banquet Hall, a ball took place for students graduating from St. Andrew’s Ukrainian School. This was the fourth graduating class from this school, which was founded in 2001 at the site of Don Bosco High School, as part of the province’s International Languages Program.

Orest Hrycaj was the Master of Ceremonies for this event. He warmly greeted all in attendance on this momentous occasion and presented this year graduates: Andrew Berezowsky, Yuri Hrycaj, Daniel Kostruba, Roksoliana Luciw, and Alex Sirko. Their entrance into the hall was met by boisterous applause.

Then, the M.C. presented the honoured guests: Bishop Stephen Chmilar, Eparch of Toronto and Eastern Canada (Ukrainian Catholic Church of Canada); Borys Wrzesnewskyj, MP for Etobicoke Centre; Tanya Sunak, representing the Ukrainian Canadian School Board – Toronto Branch; Oksana Prociuk-Ciz, General Manager of Buduchnist Credit Union; Yuriy Kohut, representing the Ukrainian Credit Union; Walter Spano, Principal of the International Languages Program at Don Bosco Catholic High School, and Dr. Ulana Kawun, the main speaker for the evening.

The M.C. also thanked all those distinguished VIP’s who could not attend, but sent congratulatory letters to the graduates.

In addition to greetings and congratulatory remarks, the Director of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian School, Marika Paquin said: “Today we impart to you a special trust in the hope that you will continue with your Ukrainian studies and promote them in our community and within your families, now and in the future.”

Before the evening meal, the graduates were greeted by The Right Reverend Bishop Stephen Chmilar, who dedicated the celebratory meal.

On behalf of the teachers of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian School, the graduates were acknowledged by teacher Ulana Zurakowski. From the Ukrainian Canadian School Board, Toronto Branch, Tanya Sunak, stated: “a great recognition to you (graduates) for your work and efforts to learn about your heritage and to master the Ukrainian language”.

The graduates were also greeted by: Oksana Prociuk-Ciz and Borys Wrzesnewskyj, who said the graduates received a key, which can be used to open doors in the future. He encouraged them to deepen their knowledge about Ukraine, to read Ukrainian books and to take part in Ukrainian programs.

The major talk was given by Dr. Ulana Kawun, a graduate of Tsiopa Palijiw Ukrainian School and today a surgeon of Rouge Valley Health System in Scarborough, Ontario. In her talk, Dr. Kawun underscored that both in her student and later in her professional life, she utilized and continues to utilize knowledge of the Ukrainian language. She encouraged this year’s graduates to remain interested in Ukrainian matters and to take an active role in Ukrainian community affairs.

The official ceremonies of this evening were launched by the Director of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian School, Marika Paquin, who presented all graduates with yellow/blue ceremonial sashes; the Principal of the International Language Program at Don Bosco Catholic High School, Walter Spano and Graduating class teacher, Mary Pelech, issued diplomas to graduates; Borys Wrzesnewskyj handed out honourary certificates; gifts to the graduates were presented by: Buduchnist Credit Union, Ukrainian Credit Union, So-Use Credit Union, Ukrainian-Canadian School Board, Toronto Branch and also from the parents of the graduates.

Each of the graduates made brief speeches. In each speech the graduates thanked their teachers for their efforts, their parents for bringing them up in the spirit of Ukrainian nationalism, the Ukrainian businesses and organizations for their generous gifts and all the guests for taking part at their graduation.

A truly unexpected event of the evening occurred, when the graduates and all present proudly sang Gaudeamus in the Ukrainian language. This might well have been the first time in the history of Ukrainian Schools of Toronto that at a graduation celebration.

Afterwards, the evening shifted to the musical segment of the festivities and the graduates’ ball began. Everyone enjoyed themselves late into the night.

Dear graduates of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian School! We greet you on this honourable and great occasion in your lives. We recognize you for your accomplishments and the completion of your studies at Ukrainian School. We wish you many successes in your future studies. Continue to learn about Ukraine and Ukrainian subjects, work for the common good of the Ukrainian community in Canada, travel to Ukraine, gain knowledge there and pass along your Canadian experience to them, as well as, your Ukrainian experience to Canadians. Be proud of your Ukrainian heritage. We wish you all the best in all your endeavours. May God Bless you and yours!

Photos by Ivan Terefenko