Ukrainian Bilingual Program 40th Anniversary

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

To honor the milestone of preserving and giving a chance to learn about the Ukrainian Language, Culture and History to two generations of students, A.L. Horton School presented their 40th Anniversary Ukrainian Bilingual Program Celebration on April 11.

This celebration was so well-attended that there was only standing room space available minutes before the event began.

The gymnasium’s walls and tables were packed with photographs and other items to help people recall precious memories from this program. Many former and present teachers and staff, dignitaries, and students were present. This was also a reunion for former students and staff as it was frequently heard, “Oh it’s wonderful to see you again!”

A former student of the program, Alex Fedoruk emceed the event.

Following this, all the students opened the celebration by singing, O’Canada in Ukrainian.

Principal, Greg Probert went on to say they only had around 70 children from the program at the event because the students had other commitments but the program has grown to 120 students today. For himself, being involved in this program helped him get connected with his own culture. Probert then acknowledged all the former and present people involved with the program who were too numerous to mention.

EIPS School Trustee, Randy Footz continued to say his grandparents came from the old country with nothing in their pockets and they came to Canada and they built a home, a life and they built the country; this program celebrates that.

Then Deputy Mayor for Vegreville, Tina Warawa said children can observe so much of a language when they learn at a young age. After this, Representative for Vegreville Cultural Association, Orest Olineck presented a cheque for $1000 for the Ukrainian Bilingual Program. Olineck also mentioned how this program enhances and enriches the community.

A representative from Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada, Ed Stelmach also presented a cheque to the Ukrainian Bilingual Program. Stelmach stated the students in this program not only have a wider knowledge and understanding about the history of Ukraine but also they learn the history of Alberta, their community, and the history of the great country of Canada.

Then Representatives from Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, Rose Hook, Gladys Palahniuk, and Anne Soldan presented a cheque of $650 to help the program.

Probert went on to state how the students take the Ukrainian language and culture to places in the community.

Fedoruk expressed some of his fond memories of the program where he stated Ms. Hyshka gave her students many learning opportunities of visiting the Legislature Building and she spoiled them with treats sometimes which they really enjoyed. There is a connection between the students too as he is still friends with a lot of them.

‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’ performance

by the Ukrainian Bilingual students was presented next which featured pleasant memories the students had from themselves and their parents being in the program. The students who are the faces of Ukrainian Canada continued on to wow the crowd when they performed vocal pieces and choral arts pieces from all grades and as a whole.

And as the students stated, every Ukrainian celebration should end with a hopak which they performed with precision.

The students then said the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian before everyone enjoyed dinner. For dessert, they offered cheesecake and poppy chiffon cake, as well as, coffee, tea, and juice at the Veselka (Springtime) Cafe in the school’s library.