2012 Friends of Polish Art Scholarships
The Friends of Polish Art and the Scholarship Committee (Elzbieta Mscichowska, Dan Samul, Walt Stasinski, Jane Wojtan and Chair, Carolyn L. Meleski) proudly announce this year’s scholarship recipients.
The scholarships will be presented at the Friends of Polish Art General Meeting on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy, MI located on Maple and Dequindre Roads.
A short program will precede the scholarship presentation followed by a reception prior to the general meeting.
Catherine J. Liberacki Scholarship
This scholarship is being given in the memory of the late Catherine J. Liberacki who was the daughter of immigrants. Catherine only finished the 7th grade and then went to work initially as a maid to help out her family. At the age of sixteen, she started working at the Ternstedt Division of GM which became her second home for the next 46.5 years. Catherine instilled in her daughters the value of education. Because of her family background, hard work and values, it is only befitting to give this scholarship to:
Hubert Raszewski
Hubert will be starting his senior year at Wayne State University. He is enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a major in Pre-Med and a minor in Polish Studies.
Hubert is an exceptional young man. As a student, studying Polish, he had the opportunity to translate information for the panels used in the Solidarity Exhibit at the Reuther Library in 2010. And, because of his hard work, he was invited to participate in the exhibit’s opening where he had the honor of meeting Lech Walesa.
Since acquiring a part-time position as a Pharmacy Technician at the Troy Professional Pharmacy, Hubert’s dream is to be a Pharmacist and being accepted into the School of Pharmacy at WSU. At the Troy pharmacy, he is using his Polish skills while serving the Polish-American community. Hubert is known for his reliability, consistency, dedication, cheerfulness as well as his strong values. He has a bright future ahead of him.
Lillian and Chester Mitchell Fine Arts Scholarship
Jessica Caldare
Jessica will be a senior at WSU in the fall where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Design, University and Departmental Honors, and Art with concentrations in Graphic Design, Electronic Arts, and Drawing. She has continually been on the Dean’s List since enrolling in college and has received numerous awards.
As for Jessica’s other qualities, she is highly-motivated and a hard-working student; has a deep interest and commitment to the arts. Plus, she is dedicated to studying the Polish language and culture. Even though she knows some Polish from home, she has continued to work on her language skills as well as her grammar.
Jessica is involved at her local church, St Cunegunda as well as having volunteered at the Golightly Middle School tutoring children. Throughout high school she was an active volunteer.
Jessica states: “…but for the most part my overall goal is to create a persona of the Detroit art scene, while also displaying the diversities and cultures of the city.”
Michael Chrusciel
Michael will be a senior at Wayne State University in the fall. He is pursuing concurrent degrees of a Bachelor of Arts in Slavic Studies with a concentration in Polish as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science along with a Departmental and University Honors co-major. Needless to say, he has been on the Dean’s List throughout his college studies. Michael has received numerous awards and honors during his studies.
Michael currently serves as the WSU Slavic Club treasurer and works very well with others organizing a Wigilia, bake sales, film showings and club outings. He has been involved in the Model United Nations at WSU since 2010; and is active in the Irvin D. Reid Honors College as well as the Honors Student Association.
All of Michael’s references feel that he has a bright future ahead of him. He is known to be a brilliant and outstanding student, detail oriented and conscientious in his work. He even went to Poland to further his knowledge about Polish medical students’ attitudes towards organ transplants through an undergraduate grant that he had won.
After completing all his undergraduate courses, Michael plans to apply to the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Professionally, he wishes to hold a Doctorate of Medicine.
Frank Filipek Scholarships
Frank Filipek requested that each of the scholarships be given in the memory of certain individuals. The memorials are listed next to each recipient’s name.
Filip Buniewicz: Scholarship in the memory of Ted and Chester Wojdasik
Filip will be entering the University of Michigan as a freshman. He expects to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the Troy High School this semester.
Activities are a norm for Filip. Currently he is serving in a leadership position for a group of 14 boys in the Polish Scouting Organization-Michigan to which he has belonged for the past 12 years. He has excelled in numerous tasks and is considered an asset to the organization. Plus, he is a graduate of the Szkola Jezyka Polskiego im. Adama Mickiewicza. Filip has been a member of the Troy High School Soccer Team as well as a member of Travel Soccer.
It is stated that Filip has good leadership skills. He is organized, trustworthy and courteous. And, he is dedicated to his schoolwork and loves learning which will be an asset and help him achieve anything that he wants. He will do great things after he graduates from the University of Michigan.
Scott Hejka: Scholarship in the memory of John and Pauline Filipek
Scott will be entering Madonna University in the fall after graduating from Shrine Catholic High School. Scott will be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Chemistry or Food Service.
The Lowicz Dancers as well as the Polish Women’s Alliance have benefitted from Scott’s as well as his family’s volunteerism. He has been an altar server at the National Shrine of the Little Flower for several years. Besides being a member of the National Honor Society, Scott has been active in several other high school activities.
Scott has demonstrated a commitment to success, he is self-motivated, shows initiative, and has a strong sense of responsibility. And, that he will be a hardworking and devoted college student using his intelligence, gentle demeanor and strong sense of morality to become a contributing citizen.
Katherine Dziuba: Scholarship in memory of Lt. Co. Matt Urban
Katherine will be starting her senior year in the Honors College at Eastern Michigan University with a major in biology. She plans to apply and attend medical school.
It is difficult to name all the numerous activities that Katherine is/has been a part of. In the Fall of 2012, she will be named Valuable Veteran for all the work put into the New Student Orientation Program (NSOA). Each week, she volunteers at U of M Mott’s Children’s Hospital and at the HOPE Medical Clinic in Ypsilanti. This summer, she will be part of the Global Brigade in Ghana through the U of M.
Katherine is very active in the Polish Community as well. At her parish, Our Lady of Mt Carmel, she periodically lectures in Polish at the Polish Mass. And, she hosts her own booth at the yearly Polish parish festival. In the Polish Scouts, she serves as a Druzynowa. In 2010, Katherine attended the Jagellion University and the VIII Worldwide Polish Scouting Jamboree. And, in 2011 she attended the Quo Vadis Conference in Toronto, Canada.
Katherine is an incredible young woman. There are numerous activities that weren’t mentioned. But, she states that service has always been a part of her life. She “deeply believes in the saying that you should treat others the way that you would be treated”.
Maria Chryczyk: Scholarship in memory of Joseph and Lillian Samul
Maria is a student at Wayne State University where she will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Slavic Studies with a concentration in Polish and a minor in Health Psychology. Maria is also pursuing a Pre-Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology.
All of Maria’s activities can be attributed to “Polishness”. She is a translator at her place of employment as well as a member of “Test”, a live Polish band. Currently, Maria is the President of the WSU Slavic Club and a lector/psalmist for Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. And, she was a long-time member of the Dunajec Folk & Dance Ensemble as well as a member of the Highlander Club, 2011.
Maria is a bright and exemplary student and she does more than what is expected of her. As a graduate of radiology, Maria would like to start a program in radiologic studies in the Eastern European countries. But, most importantly, she wants to make both of her parents proud of her. Their happiness is what drives her forward.
Angela Tarnogorska: Scholarship in the memory of Frank and Sophia Filipek
Angela will be graduating from Divine Child High School, Dearborn Heights where she distinguished herself as an academic standout and is planning to attend Grand Valley State University. At Grand Valley, Angela plans to obtain a double major in International Business and Marketing with a minor in Spanish.
Numerous activities can be attributed to Angela during her high school years. However, she has a multitude of Polish activities to be proud of. Among them are being a member of the Polanie Song & Dance Ensemble which allowed her to participate in the 2011 International Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszow, Poland as well as being a member of the General Pulaski Polish Language School. SS. Peter & Paul Parish can boast of Angela being an altar server for eight years.
At Grand Valley, Angela will be a welcome addition to the student body. There, her work ethic and constant pursuit of greatness will be second to none as she does extraordinary academic work.
