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Dorothy Backiel (1987 - )

Dorothy Backiel Is Maspeth's Miss Polonia

Congratulations to Dorothy Backiel, who was named Miss Polonia 2004! She will represent her parish, Holy Cross, and the Polish community of Maspeth at the 67th Annual Pulaski Day Parade on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004.

Backiel, who is 17 years old, has just finished her junior year at Archbishop Molloy High School, where she's a member of the Eastern European Club and Dance Club. She enjoys Polonaise folk dancing, speaks Polish fluently and is educated in Polish history and culture thanks to nine years of Polish school every Saturday. She's a graduate of the parish elementary school, a member of the Holy Cross Teen Club and works in the rectory three afternoons a week.

She's the youngest child of Jadwiga and Gerwazy Backiel of Maspeth, and she has two older siblings, Jack and Joanna.

Backiel was selected by a panel of judges and nearly 200 area residents from a group of young ladies. "lt was a tough competition," Backiel said, and she was thrilled when she found out she was chosen as Miss Polonia because "I'm proud of my Polish background and it is an honor for me."

She has already begun to fulfill her responsibilities as Miss Polonia by making her debut at Holy Cross' 10th Annual Festival of Polish Culture earlier this month. Look for her at the Pulaski Day Parade in October

Source: Polish American World, July 9, 2004

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