Scholarship Award Luncheon another club success

     The eighth annual Scholarship Award Luncheon of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, was held May 2 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club. It was another very successful club affair.

    After opening remarks, greetings and welcoming several special guests
including North Port High School senior guidance counselors Rose Beach and Lee Thomas,
a brief business meeting, and delicious luncheon, Daria introduced Professor Victor Lisnyczyj of North Port, chairman of the club’s Scholarship Awards Committee, and turned the business of running the program to him.

    Victor, after brief introductory remarks about the history and purpose of the Scholarship Awards Committee, introduced members of the committee (Christyna Sheldon, Ann-Marie Susla, Roxolana Yarymovych, Gene Tomashosky and Lidia Bilous), who then proceeded to introduce past scholarship recipients by reading their names, accomplishments and excerpts of some of their letters: Lillya Dzhuga (2007), Anthony Gustitus (2008), Vera Melnichuk (2009), Mateo Vidales (2010), Francesca Tebano (2011), Kailey M. Taylor (2012) and Katlyn Nau (2013).

    The 2014 recipient, Shayne W. McKee, was introduced and asked to read his essay that qualified him to be the scholarship recipient. After reading, he was presented with the $1,000 award and a plaque by Victor Lisnyczyj. In his brief remarks, Shayne thanked the club and club’s Scholarship Committee for the award, and posed for a photograph with the entire committee.

    During the lunch, with accordionist Vlad Szpiczka providing background music, several guests made special donations to the club’s Scholarship Fund, which totaled over $1,000 — the highest amount raised during the luncheon. Both Victor and Daria were moved by the generosity of the lunch guests and expressed their profound appreciation.

    A contribution to the club’s Scholarship Fund can be made by writing a check to Ukrainian American Club of SWFL and mailing it to Nancy Wosny, treasurer, at 6167 Otis Road, North Port, FL 34287.


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    The monthly membership meeting North Port’s Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Commander Eugene A. Tomashosky of North Port, will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center in North Port.

    Commander Tomashosky is asking all members to attend this very important meeting. In addition to the customary reports of officers and members of the National Executive Board, the agenda will include the discussion and approvals of the post’s participation in this year’s Memorial Day activities (a program at Venice Memorial Gardens on May 23, “Panakhyda” at one of the Ukrainian churches May 25, and the Community Memorial Day observance at North Port’s Veterans Park on May 26). Another important item on the agenda will be the UAV 67th National Convention, which will be held in Cleveland, from Oct. 2-5. It will be hosted by Ohio Post 24 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Commander Bohdan Samokyszyn. The 67th Convention Committee is chaired by PNC Roman Rakowsky, a member of Post 24.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn