Polish American Networking Organization (PANO)

$1,000 Harriet Irsay Scholarship Grant
American Institute of Polish Culture

Expanded Requirements

Extended Deadline – June 22, 2007

Lower Application Fee

Since 1992, the Scholarship Committee of the American Institute of Polish Culture in Miami has awarded over $150,000.00 in scholarship aid to over 150 talented American students of Polish descent.

This year, the Committee decided to broaden the scope of majors and other requirements in order to reach a larger population of students. Starting this year the Institute will award ten to fifteen scholarship grants of $1,000 each, for the 2007/2008 academic year in the following fields:

· Communication

· Education

· Film

· History

· International Relations

· Journalism

· Liberal Arts

· Polish Studies

· Public Relations

· Graduate students in business programs whose thesis is directly related to Poland

· Graduate students in all majors whose thesis is on the Polish subject

They are awarded on a merit basis to full time undergraduates or graduates who are American citizens or permanent residents preferably of Polish heritage.

Required materials:

· Completed application

· School transcripts

· Detailed resume

· An essay “Why should I receive the scholarship” (200-400 words)

· An article (up to 700 words) on any subject about Poland

· Three original recommendation letters from teachers or others familiar with the academic background and applicant’s plans for the future. These letters must be originals on letterhead stationery, signed and mailed by faculty directly to the Institute. No copies, faxes or unsigned letters will be accepted.

· $10.00 check or money order as a non-refundable processing fee

ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS MUST BE IN OUR OFFICES NO LATER THAN JUNE 22, 2007, NO EXCEPTIONS. The decisions will be made by JULY 31, 2007. All applicants will be notified by mail of their status as soon as possible after that date. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Scholarship applications may be obtained by downloading them from the Internet at http://www.ampolinstitute.org or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a request to

Scholarship Applications

The American Institute of Polish Culture

1440 79^th Street Causeway, Suite 117

Miami, FL 33141-3555

For more information call (305) 864-2349 or e-mail info@ampolinstitute.org

About the Harriet Irsay Scholarship Grant

Ms. Harriet Irsay, Polish herself (born Jadwiga Pogorzelski) has been on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Polish Culture, Inc. in Miami , Florida since its beginning in 1972.

In 1992, she established the scholarship fund. Irsay, whose family has owned the football team Indianapolis Colts since the 1970’s, has been funding many charitable causes. This one is a tribute to her roots. “I wanted to give something to people of Polish descent, so they would be able to improve themselves through education,” Irsay said. “We should help our own people, just like other nations help their students.”

The Harriet Irsay Scholarship Fund awards grants to American students, preferably of Polish heritage who wish to continue their education after high school. With an eye toward the future and toward the distribution of information regarding Polish culture, history and people as well as Polonia everywhere, the grants are given to students majoring in various academic disciplines. Since the launching of the scholarship program, over 150 students from around the country have received grants of $1,000 each.

A Jamestown Appeal

by Frank J. Spula
President, Polish American Congress
and Polish National Alliance

Dear Friends - Members and Supporters of the Polish American Community:

As Polish-Americans during 2007, we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent colony in America and the beginning of a Nation. (Please See www.jamestown2007.org/)

In 2008 we will commemorate the arrival of the first Poles, who came here, not as adventurers or mercenaries but desperately needed by the Colony as craftsmen and experienced soldiers, recruited in Europe by the Virginia Company, at the insistence of Captain John Smith.

We still do not have accurate historical data as to how many Poles were originally in Jamestown. As President Charles Rozmarek said in 1958, in the Preface to the PAC book titled Jamestown Pioneers from Poland: "scattered records, documents and accounts written by original Jamestowners indicate that the number of pioneers from Poland was of an extent to merit mention and their achievements and contributions to the welfare and growth of the Colony of a character to command deserved respect".

It is accurate to say that the officials at the Jamestown and Yorktown Foundation still fail to fully admit and agree as to the role played by those first Pioneers. I am concerned, that even after all of the work involved in assembling data and materials for the 400th anniversary, the true picture will not evolve unless we the members of the American Polonia correct the record. I call here on our professionals, historians and researchers to increase their effort during the year 2007.

I am also inviting the leaders of our Polonia organizations to, throughout 2007, feature the accomplishments of those first Poles at every meeting and event. To inform and teach others why we commemorate the establishment of a Nation and the contribution of those first Polish pioneers and the beginning of an American Polonia. Our writers and media people could help by producing appropriate material. I ask for closer cooperation between all Polonia organizations.

I have designated our Washington DC office as recipient of all correspondence dealing with the Jamestown project. Contact information is:

Polish American Congress, Inc.,
1612 K. St., N.W., Suite 410,
Washington, DC 20006-2802.
Tel: 202-296-6955,
Fax: 202-835-1565,
E-mail: pacwash@polamcon.org
Web site: http://www.polamcon.org.

Our Jamestown 2008 festivities will be arranged by the PAC Vice President for Cultural Affairs. (Please see her message below.)

Sincerely,
Frank J. Spula
President

(1) Jest petycja do United States Postal Service aby wydali pamiatkowy znaczek pocztowy

z fotografia porucznika Matt Urban'a ktory jest polskiego pochodzenia i jest jednym najbardziej

(2) Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (2445 Rayburn House Office Bldg, Washington DC 20515)

prosi organizacje aby poparli H.J. Res.54 & S.J. Res. 22, rezolucje ktore by nadaly posmiertne

Listy z poparciem mozna pisac do attn: Cate Veith, Legisative Assistant to Congressman

The AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS OF KOSCIUSZKO AT WEST POINT, in concert with the KOSCIUSZKO SQUADRON of West Point and the POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS DIVISIONS of the Northeastern United States, invite you to commemorate the 261^st anniversary year of the birth of TADEUSZ KOSCIUSZKO on Saturday, April 21, 2007. This will be the 179thmemorial observance hosted by the UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY at West Point, NY to honor the man who was and is an American and Polish hero and patriot, an altruist, and a champion of liberty, independence, democracy and equality.

It was Ko?ciuszko’s brilliant use of natural formations for the fortification at Saratoga that brought about the first victory for the Continental Army in the American Revolution. His was the military engineering genius which protected the Hudson so well at West Point that the British dared not try to split the colonial forces by coming down the Hudson from Canada. It was his idea to establish a military academy there at West Point. It is, therefore, no wonder that the cadets, in their admiration, contributed their own money in 1809 for a monument to honor him, the very first monument placed on the academy’s grounds.

The day of the observance, a very full one as usual, will be one of education, excitement and adventure for adults and children alike. It will begin at 9:45 a. m. with the celebration of Mass at the Catholic Chapel of the Holy Trinity. Rev. Carl Urban of the Church of St. Adalbert in Schenectady, NY will be chief celebrant. After Mass, the Cadet Review will take place on The Plain at 11:30 with the observance at the Ko?ciuszko Monument following at 12:30 p. m. We will have the honor and pleasure of hearing AMBASSADOR JANUSZ REITER of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, and Major John Nawoichyk of the Department of Military Instruction at the U. S. Military Academy. Two choruses of the POLISH SINGERS ALLIANCE OF AMERICA, the ST. FRANCES DE CHANTAL Junior Chorus #23 of Brooklyn, NY and ARIA Chorus #303 from Wallington, NJ will sing at the chapel, at the monument, and at the luncheon.

The luncheon will follow immediately after the formal ceremonies at the Hudson Gallery in the Thayer Hotel right there on the Military Academy’s grounds. For those not attending the luncheon, there will be the opportunity to visit Ko?ciuszko’s own garden, the museum and visitors’ center. A special treat for all, especially the children, will be the chance to meet and talk to the cadets who are members of the Ko?ciuszko Squadron of West Point.

On Friday, April 20^th at 1:15 p. m., the day before the observance, the Fourth Annual Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko Conference will take place in the Hudson Gallery at the Thayer Hotel. Among the panelists will be Ambassador of the Republic of Poland Janusz Reiter, Vice Chancellor JAMES PULA of Purdue University, USMA Cadet JOSEPH CYMERMAN of the Ko?ciuszko Squadron at West Point and Major John Nawoichyk of the academy faculty. President of AAFKWP and Associate Dean (Ret.) of Northeastern University ANTHONY J. BAJDEK will act as moderator.

For tickets or information about the Friday conference and/or the Saturday observance, please call or e-mail F. X. Gates at (718)346-6108/(718)852-6812, fxgates2@aol.com; A. J. Bajdek at (508)429-1305, a.bajdek@neu.edu, or call George Katucki at (845)623-5435. Whether coming by bus or car, please remember that anyone over the age of 16 must present a government-issued picture i. d. such as a driver’s license or passport in order to enter the Military Academy’s grounds. Those coming by bus must submit a passenger manifest at least 24 hours before the observance date.

The trip to West Point should be a yearly pilgrimage for families, Polish Supplementary Schools, parishes and all of Polonia’s organizations. Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko was honored in his lifetime by writers, poets, musicians and artists. We Poles and Polish-Americans should honor this man who was called by Thomas Jefferson “the purest son of liberty” with our presence annually at West Point.

Did you know that Cracow is home to a Leonardo Da Vinci painting? Study Polish Art in Poland. You’ll not only see Leonardo’s painting, your classroom will be the medieval city of Cracow and you’ll have the opportunity to earn 3 credits. How did Poland manage its transition from a centralized government to a free market economy? The Transition course offers two credits. Learn a bit of Polish or to enhance the Polish you already know! You can earn from 2 to 8 credits. Interested in the life and work of Pope John Paul II? Study in Rome this summer!

The Kosciuszko Foundation offers opportunities to study at the Jagiellonian University, the Catholic University of Lublin and at the Institute of Christian Culture in Rome. Programs run from mid-June through the end of August. Two, three, four, five and six week language classes are available in Poland. Cultural enrichment classes, such as the Polish Art class and Transition in Poland as well as many other classes are available in Poland. In Rome, study Polish History, Polish Literature, Polish Society after WW II, and the Life, Thought and Works of John Paul II. Prices begin at $741 for a two-week program. Tuition, dormitory housing, meals and sightseeing costs are included. Group flights are offered at an additional fee.

Beginner, intermediate and advanced language classes are available. You’ll start language classes at a level which is appropriate to the knowledge you already have. Chose classes that are of interest to you and add them to your schedule. We’ll help you transfer the credits you earn abroad to your home university.