“From a school uniform, from a room on the first floor,
From photographs with braid, from walks in the wind,
I remember less and less today, I laugh less and less,
I was left with one memory:
My first ball,
These waltzes are as light as crickets,
first ball,
Someone’s eyes merry with happiness. First ball.
A ball with a mouse, a ball with a tear, a ball behind the fog,
And waltzes, which still dream…”

Agnieszka Osiecka

Each of us remembers his or her Prom. After all, it is an important event in a person’s life, a symbolic exit from childhood, a transition to adulthood, a kind of exam of social maturity. One hundred days, is a symbolic time to introduce young people to the ranks of full-fledged members of the national community.
The prom is the first adult ball where young people want to look beautiful and adult . An elegant appearance emphasizes the importance of the event and shows our respect for tradition and ourselves.
Although modern Proms may no longer resemble a real ball, no waltz is danced, no dancers are enrolled in a pass, they still evoke tension, excitement and have a high social stature. Young people in the graduating classes of Polish Saturday schools are looking forward to the event, and for some, the Senior High School is one of the main motivating factors for post-secondary education.
The Association of Polish Teachers in America has been sponsoring this beautiful Polish tradition for 17 years, and together with a selected school organized a beautiful celebration for several hundred people. This year, the duties of chief organizer were assumed by the Gen. Kazimierz Pulaski in Harwood Heights. It is a Polish educational institution with nearly 60 years of tradition, one of the co-organizers of the first Prom and the first Polish Saturday school with a high school program.
On Saturday evening, February 19, in the banquet hall of “Drury Lane” in Oak Brook, nearly six hundred graduates of Polish Saturday schools, their teachers, and representatives of school boards stood in a full gala to the Polonaise inaugurating the 2011 Prom and conducted gracefully and professionally by dancers of the Polish National Union Representative Band “Wici.”
The headmaster of the T. S. Scholem School. K. Pulaski’s Mrs. Ewa Wejda and Board President Mrs. Agata Wozny acted as Mistresses of Ceremonies efficiently introducing the 33 schools from the Chicago metropolitan area participating in this year’s Prom.
The distinguished guests, among whom were min. Consuls of the Republic of Poland in Chicago Mr. Robert Rusiecki with his spouse and Mrs. Aleksandra Krystek, President of the Polish National School Association Mr. Frank J. Spula, President of the PRCUA J. Drobot, President of the Polish Teachers Association Mrs. Ewa Koch, the chaplain of this organization Father Jerzy Karpinski, an elegant dinner, a display of dancing skills and choreographic artistry of the group “Wici” was a perfect setting and introduction to the party, which was brilliantly conducted until just before midnight by DJ Marszałek. There was also the passing of the symbolic 100, and the drawing among the top students of all schools of three scholarships of $1000 each . This year the “lucky hand” was served by Mr. Piotr Kurylo, running around the world for peace and hosting a couple of days in Chicago. Adam Wozny, a student at the Adam Wozny School. Gen. K. Pulaski thanked the award and decided to share it with his classmates who spent Saturday mornings with him for more than a dozen years.

Chicago’s 2011 Prom, is sure to remain in the memory of its participants as a fond memory of great fun and an introduction to adult life. High school graduates from all Polish schools will meet once again in May, at a solemn Mass. Graduation to say goodbye to the Polish school and close an important and beautiful period in their young lives.

Good luck on your high school graduation!

Alicja Kuklinska, teacher of the graduating class at the Polish School
im Gen. K. Pulaski

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