William Penn Life, 1987 (22. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-12-01 / 12. szám
December 1987, William Penn Life, Page 9 The Hungarian Scene Plans announced for new Hungarian school KNIGHTSTOWN, IN — A Florida couple recently announced plans to establish the first Hungarian dormitory school in the United States. But, to make their plans a reality, at least 50 students in grades six through nine must enroll by Dec. 31, according to Ilona Faust, one of the organizers for the project. In an appeal published in the November issue of the Hungarian Heritage Review, Mrs. Faust said "American-Hungarians have dreamed about a dormitory school for decades.” While acknowledging that "there are many excellent Hungarian schools and Hungarian programs in the fifty states ... there is still not a residence school in existence, which could fulfill the most ambitious dreams of teachers, parents and children,” she said. Known as The Knightstown Academy, the school would be housed in several old school buildings in this small town located 35 miles east of Indianapolis. Mrs. Faust’s husband, Andy, bought the facility and donated its use to the planned school. The school has an option to take over the buildings on or before April 1, 1988. Initial plans for the academy call for studies in the six through ninth grades, with a higher grade being added each year so that the first students can "grow with the school,” Mrs. Faust said. The curriculum would feature a strong basic academic program offering Hungarian studies, and preparing children to enroll in the nation’s elite universities. The academy would also place emphasis on the arts, physical education and character development. There are also plans for developing one of the facility’s buildings into a national Hungarian cultural center. The first school year would begin in September 1988, but only if the minimum of 50 students are enrolled, she said. The estimated duration of the school year would be 10 months. Projected tuition costs would be $400 per month covering instruction, room and board, plus a $150 annual registration fee. Anyone interested in obtaining additional information about the school can write to: Mrs. Ilona Faust, 2420 Castilla Isle, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 3330 T, or call (305) 523-2420. Knightstown Academy Arany János Kollégium <s> -f Some of those who participated in this fall’s Hungarian language course at Belmont Technical College were (front, from left) Mary Jeffers, Margaret Laslo, Margaret Moore, Katherine Tomlinson, (back) Elmer Lengyel, John Lukas, Fred Pozsagi, Rob Pozsagi and class instructor and National Auditing Committee Chairman Louis A. Fodor. Not pictured are Elizabeth Toth and Mike Ballint. Hungarian language course enjoyed by students, teacher MARTINS FERRY, OH — A group of 10 second and third generation Hungarians recently completed a nine-week Hungarian language course taught by National Auditing Committee Chairman Louis A. Fodor. The course was conducted at the Belmont Technical College in Martins Ferry from Sept. 22 to Nov. 17. The group met every Tuesday night for three hours of instruction. Half of the students attended classes held this past spring under the leadership of Mr. Fodor. The spring classes offered a total of 16 hours of instruction while the recent fall course offered a total of 27 hours. Although it was a non-credit course, all the students felt the course was very worthwhile and quite enjoyable. The course included work in speaking, reading and writing Hungarian and covered related subjects, such as Hungarian history, geography and customs. After completing the course, each student received a completion certificate from the college. As enjoyable as the course was for the students, it was perhaps even more enjoyable for the instructor. "I get the reward in seeing these people advance,” Mr. Fodor said. "At the same time, I also learn things because of the students’ varied backgrounds and because their ancestors came from different regions of Hungary.” Mr. Fodor said the 60-mile roundtrip to the college from his home in Weirton, W.Va. was a trip worth making each week, "especially when every one of the students showed up for class despite a heavy snowstorm.” The course was made possible, in part, by former Martins Ferry mayor John Laslo. It was Mr. Laslo who arranged for the classroom at the college. "John Laslo was instrumental in putting the seed into an idea, consulting with me and getting me to teach the course,” Mr. Fodor said. Fraternal Director Elizabeth Szabó and the Home Office also deserve thanks, he said, for providing some instructional materials used in the course. Groups plan Miss Magyar USA pageant NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA — A small group of Hungarian Americans recently met here to formulate plans for a nationwide Miss Magyar USA Pageant to be held in 1988. Attending the two-day session were representatives from the Rákóczi Foundation-International, the Hungarian Heritage Review and the Hungarian Ethnic Group of Western Pennsylvania. The meeting was held at the Hungarian-owned Colonial Manor Restaurant in North Huntingdon near Pittsburgh. According to a statement issued from the meeting, the nationwide pageant would be an effective way "to organize nationwide participation in and support for something meaningful” which would help "enhance the public image of the Hungarian community in America.” The pageant would also allow Hungarian Americans to present "a unified ethnic identity (and) help to foster greater public knowledge of and respect for the Hungarian Heritage,” the statement read. The pageant is tentatively scheduled for July 1988 with the three organizations serving as activating co-sponsors. Other Hungarian organizations, including clubs and churches, are being sought as additional cosponsors. Each state where there is a Hungarian community would be permitted to enter one contestant in the Miss Magyar USA Pageant. Participating organizations, clubs and churches in each state would be provided with specific instructions on how to cooperate together in selecting their state’s one candidate for the national title. A tentative site for the first Miss Magyar USA Pageant has not been named. Organizers are also working on the establishment of rules and procedures for the pageant. Hungarian groups interested in participating in this nationwide effort, either as co-sponsors or as part of a statewide contestant selection process, can write for more detailed information to: Rákóczi Foundation-International, P. O. Box 2203, Union, N.J. 07083. Would You Like To Earn Extra Money? We need men and women for part-time sales. The William Penn Association is one of the most respected fraternal benefit societies in the industry today. We have an excellent opportunity waiting for you. We need men and women just like you to help us continue our growth and build our membership. The William Penn Association offers some of the finest insurance products available. Join the William Penn Team! For more information, call or write: Daniel R. Wahl, FIC William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (412) 231-2979
