Hand in Hand with Mom

 

I recently met with Monika Sochecki in an Indian Restaurant, in the Polish Village area of Parma, Ohio.   Meeting here was Monika’s idea.  I wondered why an Indian  restaurant of all places, being surprised as I was that, Monika, the very soul of Polonia and such an active individual in the Polish community had chosen this location.  Don’t get me wrong.  I personally have nothing against Indian Cuisine. I do enjoy it.  So I quickly set aside any dissonance I had about the choice of  restaurant  as we sat down, and began by asking her a lot of questions.  I guess I’m just the curious type.

 

Monika told me that her dedication and activism was thanks to her mother, Helene Sochecka-Rozilo.  Her mom lived for Polonia, the Polish American community in Cleveland,  and all that it entailed.   Mom would take her daughter by the hand and off they would go to meetings, to parades, balls, parties and festivals.  It was a very exciting  life.  There was always something going on and her Mother was usually involved and always needed somewhere.  Monika couldn’t wait until she herself could begin to engage in such an active life. 

 

It all began in 2001 for her, with Polish radio.  Every Saturday Monika assisted Anna Klik in producing her radio program “Memories of Poland”.  Monika was chiefly engaged with the opening and the musical program on the radio show.  She had always loved the music of Poland  and particularly the folk music.  This was not at all unusual when one considers that at the age of four her Mother brought her to the Polish School where Monika began dancing with the group “Gorale”  (named after the Highlanders from the Mountain region of Poland) . She continued to dance with the group until she was fourteen,  These days she continues to enjoy dancing at Polish gatherings.

 

Monika is very knowledgeable about Polonia  and her involvement has been appreciated by many Polish organizations.  She is a member of  the Board of directors at the Polish American Cultural Center and Polish American Congress.  But she derives the most satisfaction from her activities in the Polonia Foundation of Ohio, Inc. where she has recently been elected president.   I asked  about her fervent dedication to the Polonia  Foundation.  She replied that the main function of the Foundation has been to assist students of Polish heritage with obtaining a higher education.   Yes of course, Monika states,  everything is important  – the Polish schools, Polish language studies, folk dance and Polish culture, but she regards working to help young Polish Americans have a chance at obtaining a good education essential,  for it can help people make a better life  for themselves in the nation their families have chosen to live in.  Not all Polish immigrants have the financial means to provide a college education for their children and this is where the Polish community can step in and assist.  The Polonia Foundation is very helpful in these efforts.  

 

Another very important function of the Foundation is to honor members of the Polish American community who have given much of their time and effort to promote Polish culture and the interests of Polish Americans in Ohio.  There is an annual induction ceremony and dinner honoring the “Knights and Grand Ladies of Pulaski“, people who have distinguished themselves  by their work and commitment to the education of younger generations.  Thanks to their efforts, the Polonia  Foundation has become an indispensable resource for funding  the education of young students.                      

 

Complete information about the Foundation can be found on the Polonia Foundation’s internet website — Polonia Foundation of Ohio.  Thanks to my meeting with madam President,  I was able to obtain the most up to date information about goings on at the Foundation.  On June 13 the Knights and  Grand Ladies of Pulaski  Installation Dinner  will be held at the Holy Spirit Party Center.  Later, on October 6th,  there will be a banquet held at the Tremont City Side Ballroom where scholarships will be awarded to deserving young Polonians.  I’ve already made my reservations!  I know that by paying for my meal, I am helping to raise money for this admirable cause, educating young Polonia, at each one of the Polonia Foundation of Ohio’s dinners, banquets and  celebrations .

 

Students who wish to apply for a scholarship are asked to write an essay about what their Polish roots and Polish heritage have meant to them in their life.   Complete instructions regarding the application process for financial aid can be found on the Foundation’s website.   Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2019. Finalists’ essays will be published in “Forum” during the year.

 

“Tell me, Monika,  surely you don’t live only for Polonia? ”  I asked.

 

She hesitated for a moment.  She told me how she and a number of her girlfriends formed the ‘White Eagles’ a group that met at restaurants in and around Cleveland  on weekends where they had a lot of fun playing “Trivia”  Monika also enjoys traveling and loves to see and discover everything she can.  Her mother taught her to be fascinated with the world, to see everything, to be active, to be engaged .  After work, she rests at home and enjoys the companionship of her two French bulldogs who eagerly await walks with their mistress.

 

Monika received her degree and license in education from Cleveland State University ,  She has been employed since 1915 at the Cleveland Clinic and since 2017 at Avon Hospital ( CCF) in the vascular medicine department.  This year she began studies for her Master’s degree in Medical Administration and so far, has done very well.  Apparently Monika knows her profession.  Actually whatever Monika gets involved  in, she excels at.  I told her that because she is so hard working and determined, she will always meet with success.

 

As we were leaving the restaurant, Monika stopped in front of a decoration in the restaurant which displayed a fountain.   “ You know, this restaurant was at one time a Polish restaurant, the Old Warsaw Grille.  I took a picture of myself in front of this fountain back when I was celebrating getting my degree from CSU.  Do you know it was only thanks to a scholarship from the Polonia Foundation that I was able to go to college in the first place?” 

 

Well now, that explains everything.