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7th of September, 2024 First Day of School

The First Bell Ceremony 2024

Saturday was an incredible and long-awaited day for the Ukrainian community in Washington DC.

On September 7, our Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies celebrated the opening of the new academic year, and the first bell rang for 240 students, including those who had already studied in the previous year and newly arrived students.

This year, our School welcomed a new Principal, Natalia Havdyda, and a renewed School Board.

After the welcoming speech of the Principal, student-representatives of the Ukrainian scouting organization PLAST and the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SYM) solemnly brought in the flag of Ukraine. School teacher Yulia Neduzhko sang the national anthem of Ukraine and was eagerly joined by parents and students alike. The Principal expressed our gratitude for the countless Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers whose sacrificial acts and valiant fighting have sustained Ukraine’s existence.

Combat-disabled Ukrainian military officer Andriy Smolenskiy and wife Alina were our honored guests at the First Bell Ceremony.

The visit of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA Oksana Markarova, the First Secretary of the Embassy ​​Kateryna Smagliy and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Accordbank Danylo Volynets was a real gift for all of us. Ambassador Markarova delivered a wonderful speech about the importance of Ukrainian studies and presented diplomas to the winners of the XIV Taras Shevchenko International Language and Literature Competition. Another gift was the replenishment of the school library with new Ukrainian books brought from Ukraine by Mr. Danylo Volynets. Thank you very much!

At the end of the official part of the First Bell Ceremony, the new principal Nataliya Havdyda presented the school with a painting by Oleh Shupliak entitled “Battle On – We’ll Win Our Battle,” which students of the graduating 10th grade brought into the school, so that the spirit of Taras Shevchenko would be constantly present in the educational institution named after him.

After the event, the teachers invited their students to their classes, where the new academic year began in a friendly atmosphere. Ukrainian soldier Andriy Smolenskiy and his wife Alina visited some classes for a lesson. It is important for us to always remember those, who at the cost of their own lives and health chose to fight for the right of Ukraine to remain an independent country on the world map.

Glory to Ukraine!

Glory to the Heroes!

Memories from last years

Letter from the Ambassador of Ukraine in Washington DC

Embassy 2023

Our first school day in 2023-2024!

Memories from last years