Welcome to February – the month that brings to you the celebration of love, romance and connection (Valentine’s Day); patriotism and leadership (Presidents’ Day); feasting, parades, and revelry (Mardi Gras); fasting, repentance, and reflection (Ash Wednesday); and the 35th Shirley Ann Galanty Michigan State Ball (2/21). As you can see, much is packed into the shortest month of the calendar year. Bridged between winter and spring, February’s energies encourage a period of quiet reflection, healing, and intentional growth, setting a strong spiritual foundation for the year ahead. So, let the reflection begin with a recap of the last two months!
December 2025 was quite eventful. For a total of 44 years, Agnieszka Bastrzyk and Julie Prado have played integral roles in the PRCUA. Through various levels of responsibility and authority, they gained experience, enhanced skills, and successfully lead their departments. Both individuals know the PRCUA from the ground up and are duly prepared for their new positions as officers of the PRCUA. Agnieszka first changed the course of PRCUA history when she was elected Secretary-Treasurer in 2018. Until then, officers, although professionals in their own right, were elected from the fraternal, not the business side of the PRCUA. On December 5, 2025, Agnieszka Bastrzyk became the first woman president of the PRCUA, and the very next day, Julie Prado, the secretary-treasurer. I proudly serve with these two consummate professionals. Rest assured the PRCUA is in good hands.
Among the Christmas pageants and parties hosted by our PRCUA dance groups and language schools, I attended another successful Christmas recital of the Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance (Anna Winkler, Manager; Richard Jaminski, Artistic Director and Choreographer) with a guest appearance by the Wesoły Lud Polish Folk Dance Company on Sunday, December 7. It is always inspiring to see our PRCUA youth and young adults celebrating the Christmas season with Polish dance and song. Congratulations to the cast and staff of the SWCPSD on a job well done.
The annual Opłatek was held on January 11, hosted this year by the Polonia Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble (Anna Krysinski, Manager; Jaclyn Krysinski, Artistic Director and Choreographer) together with District 7 (Ewa Cholewinski, National Director). Polish kolędy resounded through the halls of Allegra Banquets as the various age groups of Polonia performed a Christmas pageant before family and friends. All three PRCUA officers with families, Naród Polski Editor Lidia Kowalewicz, Director Elizabeth Dynowski, Cinderella Ruby Konopacki and Prince Charming Piotr Tumiel attended the festivities. Wiwat Polonia! Bravo to the performers and staff for a wonderful presentation!
On January 18, the Adult Culture Group of PRCUA hosted its Afterglow – an informal gathering to share photos from the last Cinderella-Prince Charming Ball and begin preparations for the 50th Annual Fashion Show set for March 8. I had the privilege of presenting the commemorative plaques to the royal couple and runners-up Zosia Kuzmiuk and Kevin Wenc. PRCUA President Bastrzyk attended with her son, Aleksander, who was a candidate. An impromptu January birthday celebration for ACG President Liz Dynowski (1/15), Vickie Kroplewski (1/1), Krystyna Lech (1/2), and many others in attendance. Sto Lat! [While on the subject of January birthdays – Happy Birthday to Director Colleen Bonkowski (1/27), former Convention Chair Barbara Toboy and daughter, Ania (1/28), Sales Coordinator Marge Grzeszczuk (1/29), Sales Associates Joanna Blach (1/25) and Lily Prado (2/1), and Polanie/SWCPSD Choreographer Michael Dziadkowiec (1/31)].
The Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School (Ilona Sobiech, principal; Renata Kaleciak, president) hosted 650 graduates together with the principals, board presidents, and teachers from 40 Polish high schools in the Chicagoland area at the Drury Lane Theater in Oak Brook, Illinois on Saturday, January 24. The chairperson of this beautiful tradition, known as the Studniówka (a Prom marking one hundred days left until graduation) is known for her unique creativity and elegance in event planning, as well as a very persuasive and enthusiastic fundraiser. She and her team secured $40,000 in contributions for all the graduates who were deemed the best of the best from their respective schools – receiving from $700-$1000 each. The PRCUA congratulates all those selected the Best of the Best. Among this elite group were the following PRCUA members and the schools they represent: Anna Harbut (Jan Karski PS, Palos Heights, IL); Adrian Anszczak (Mikołaj Kopernik PS); Monika Bednarczyk (Maria Konopnicka PS, Oak Lawn, IL); Dominica Zyskowska (St. John Paul II PS, Lemont, IL); Jessica Hoffman (Queen Jadwiga PS); and Laura and Lena Turek (Henryk Sienkiewicz PS, Romeoville, IL). Principal Sobiech procured the artistic talents of Richard Jaminski to choreograph a special Polonaise. Dancers from Wesoły Lud (who also performed during dinner) together with the Sienkiewicz graduates executed the first portion, then escorted dignitaries (including President Bastrzyk as well as yours truly) and guests onto the dance floor with Principal Sobiech in the lead couple, followed by the remaining graduates. Needless to say, every space in the banquet hall was filled with dancing and excitement. Bravo! Bravissimo! Nicely done, Sienkiewicz School! PRCUA is proud to be a sponsor.
January ended, February began with many zabawy (Polish dances), and the PRCUA groups and schools were not to be upstaged. Wesoły Lud in Lemont, Illinois, and Zajączek in Sterling Heights, Michigan, both hosted zabawy – the former, a “Diamonds ‘n Denim” theme; the latter, an 80’s theme on January 31. The Sienkiewicz School will continue to party at their school dance on 2/7, the St. R. Kalinowski Polish School (Munster, Indiana) will host a Valentine Dance on 2/14, and as mentioned earlier in this article, on February 21, the 35th Shirley Ann Galanty Michigan State Ball (Kelly Malinowski, choreographer and chair) will honor Nina Aniela El-Alavli (Gwiazda Dancers, Hamtramck, MI); Bailey Rosemarie Sayle (Halka Dancers, Detroit, MI); Autumn Nicole Marcinowski (Malbork Dancers, Grand Rapids, MI); Hannah Anastazia Palion (Opole Dancers, Warren, MI); Alexa Jade Chiu, Kylie Grace Digna, and Sophia Grace Lenard (Rogalin Dance Troupe, Wyandotte, MI); Ava Ritarose Lackey, Dane Thomas Lackey, and Camden Rose Walters (Tatry Dancers, Dearborn Hts., MI); Vanessa Kinsey (Wieliczka Dance Ensemble, Redford, MI); Amanda Jane Hess and Jenna Ella Jablonski (Zajaczek Dance Ensemble, Sterling Hts., MI).
My sincere condolences to Edward and the family of Sharon Quinn on her untimely passing. She served on the Board of Directors during my first term as vice president. She was eloquent and professional. Oh, how she loved her husband and family! She spoke of them often and was dedicated to them. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Condolences to Gabriel Morales and his family, including their 22-month-old daughter, on the tragic death of his wife, Eliza Nickole, and unborn daughter. The Morales family were like family to D-8 Director Elizabeth Dynowski and we are all horrified by their senseless deaths. Please keep Gabe and his daughter in your prayers. May Nicki and her baby rest in peace. Amen. “The people we love never truly leave us; they live on in the way we speak, the choices we make, and the love we continue to give.”
Until next time… stay safe…stay healthy… stay loved.
