Polonia AwardsHonoring local Polish men and women in Southern California
by Artur Zygmont
Most American cities with a sizeable Polish population have regular award dinners/banquets to honor their local Polish men and women who have made outstanding contributions in any number of fields. Although the Polish population in Southern California can not be described as sizeable, still there were and are a number of Polonians here who should be recognized for their achievements. And so after many years of neglect, Marty Cepielik organized a committee of active Polonians under the auspices of the Polish American Congress, Southern California Division.
The initial committee consisted of Marty Cepielik, Chair, Chris Hiller, Co-Chair and Judges Kazimierz Cybulski, Rick Kobzi, Florence Swait, Artur Zygmont. The judges decided that the names and achievements of Polonians to be nominated for a Polonia Award would be solicited from the many Polish and Polish American organizations in the area. The committee would make the final decision. The Polonia Awards were planned to be granted at the Banquet dinner and gala ball at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles on May 14, 1988. On the appointed Day (evening) some 500 Polonians arrived plus major media representatives, artists participating in the program and well known local and national personalities.
The evening's festivities began with the Krakusy and Gorale dancers entering the ballroom dancing the stately Polonaise. Guests could also see the dancers on a giant screen. Marty Cepielik then welcomed the guests and introduced Rick Kobzi, the Master of Ceremonies. Rick presented the first two Polonia Awards to Dr. Stefan Wilk and Rev. Jacek Przygoda. Dr. Wilk overcame tremendous adversities in his own life and went on to become a successful physician and humanitarian. Rev. Jacek Przygoda, editor and author of books on Polish American history, encouraged an incredibly large number of Polish Americans to become involved in Polonian activities. Singer and entertainer Bobby Vinton presented a special award to television station KTLA (Channel 5) for their exceptional round-the-clock coverage of the papal visit in Sept. 1987, which was preceded by extensive coverage of Poland. Polonia Awards were presented next to Leon Kawecki, Halina Gawlinska and Marylka Klimek George. Kawecki is an internationally recognized designer and artist of medals, posters, philatelic covers and paintings. Halina Gawlinska was the executive secretary of the Polish Cultural Exhibit (1979-80), the largest exhibit of Polish history and culture ever seen on the West Coast. Gawlinska is also active in several Polish organizations and was the first president of the Polish American Cultural Network (founded in 1982). Marylka Klimek George is a professional dancer and choreographer for Krakusy and was honored by the State of California for her service to ethnic arts.
The next recipients of Polonia Awards were Tadeusz Nowicki, Rev. Joseph Karp and Wanda Wilk. Tadeusz Nowicki organized the Polish School, the Polish summer camp and Samopomoc (self help). He was a Polonia leader. Father Joseph Karp is the spiritual leader for Poles in Orange County and was instrumental in establishing the John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda. Wanda Wilk dedicated herself to the promotion of Polish music and is the President of Friends of Polish Music and the Polish Music Reference Center.
Between awards, the audience heard classic guitarist Gregory Newton, violinist Dorota Anderszewska and pianist Piotr Anderszewski. Besides the comments made by Rick Kobzi on each award recipient, guests could view the individual on the large screen in a earlier video made by Jerzy Krajewski.
The final Polonia Awards were presented to Claire Andersen, Alexander Kuryllo and Jurek Bogajewicz. Claire Andersen is an enthusiastic young Polonian with a record of service in Polonia including Folk Dancing and organization. Alexander Kuryllo was the general contractor of the Pope John Paul II Polish Center which he built at no profit and with much donated work and materials. He is also involved in bringing Polish Olympic caliber swimmers to outstanding swimming facilities in Mission Viejo. Jurek Bogayewicz was the director of the outstanding film Anna for which Sally Kirkland received an Oscar nomination. Two friends of Polonia recognized were Angie Papadakis and Joseph Carrabino, for their support of adding the Polish experience to a human rights/genocide model curriculum issued by the California Department of Education.
A second Polonia Awards banquet was held in downtown Los Angeles Hilton Hotel on November 11, 1989. Irene Kellner was the chairman and Judge Kalinski, Martin Krawiec and Tom Bruzdowicz comprised the selection committee. Barbara Zielinska Martinoff was master of ceremonies. Recipients of Polonia Awards included soccer coach Stanley Majcher; Regina Kobzi who has held every post in the Polish National Alliance in this area; Zbigniew Szumanski, organizer and dancer in the first Krakusy; Ed and Eugenia Kaminski, also affiliated with the Polish National Alliance and very active at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center; Rev. Edward Kalata, pastor at the Polish National Catholic Church, Jean Breese, a vital force in almost every Polish organization in the area; and Karol Blaze, 86 years old in 1989 who was very active in the earlier Polonia organization and very generous in his contributions of funds and time to build Our Lady of the Bright Mount Catholic Church. In addition Ann Hagerty received a Friend of Polonia Award. As head Librarian at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Ann Hagerty has organized a number of Polish theme exhibits at the library.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.