PFA Scholarships

A Brief Overview Of PFA Scholarships
The Polish Falcons of America offer two scholarships to its members: The Dr. T.A. Starzynski and Richard C. Gorecki scholarship grants. If you want to learn more about the PFA's Dr. T.A. Starzynski scholarship grants and view this year's recipients, click here. For additional information about the Richard C. Gorecki scholarships, click here.

Downloadable Form [1/18/08]
Gorecki Scholarship Application Forms Now Available
Download an Application form by clicking here. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to print out this file. If you do not have Reader, you may download it for free at Adobe's official Web site.

Kristin Indra.

Member Spotlight [9/24/07]
Richard C. Gorecki Scholar Awarded Therapy Degree
Nest 188, Salem, Mass., member Kristin “Cricket” Indra graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., with the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy on May 5. She is a 2004 graduate of North Carolina’s High Point University and was also a $5,000 Physical Education Richard C. Gorecki Scholarship Grant recipient that same year.

Indra is now a physical therapist for the Sentara Complex in Hampton, Va. She is the daughter of Nick and Pamela Indra of Newport News, Va., and the granddaughter of Melanie Czupryna, all of whom are Nest 188 members.

Indra’s passion for physical therapy began during her freshman year at High Point as a member of the school’s cross-country team. It was then when she developed a condition called Compartment Syndrome, which is when a muscle becomes too big for its surrounding sheath.

Thanks to a physical therapist who helped her recover from her condition, Indra realized that majoring in Exercise Science would be an excellent career choice. In her Gorecki Scholarship application letter, Indra wrote that she was blessed to have a physical therapist who helped her get back on her feet in only a couple of months.

Jason Kazmierczak.

Member Spotlight [9/24/07]
“Thank You” From a Former Gorecki Recipient
Jason Kazmierczak, a Nest 80, South Bend, Ind., member and a 2005 $5,000 Engineering Richard C. Gorecki scholarship recipient, recently sent in an update on his education and career.

Due to enrolling in an out-of-state school, Jason said in his application letter that a Gorecki scholarship grant would greatly aid him in his academic studies.

Jason is the grandson of Gerald and the late Judy Kazmierczak of South Bend, the son of John and Laurie Kazmierczak of Big Rock, Ill., and the brother of Jeremy (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), who is also a recipient of a $5,000 Gorecki Engineering Scholarship, which he was awarded last year.

“I would like to personally thank the Polish Falcons of America for contributing to my academic success over the last four years. I was privileged enough to be a recipient of both a Gorecki and a Starzynski Scholarship Grant.

These two funds allowed me to continue my higher education in a prestigious out-of-state engineering program. This past June, my goal of graduating from college was completed. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering: Biotechnology from the University of California, San Diego. Attaining this goal allowed me to start a career in the Biotech industry, something that I have been interested in since my sophomore year of high school.

I am currently an engineer with a San Diego-based company called Sequenom, and I enjoy the work I am doing with instruments and systems that are used to sequence DNA. Without the help of the Polish Falcons, the educational path leading to my career would have been much harder.”

The Richard C. Gorecki Scholarship Program

Description
The Richard C. Gorecki Scholarship Fund is named after a longtime member of Polish Falcons Nest 79 in Southgate, Mich. Druh Gorecki was an outstanding scholar who graduated with a degree in engineering from the prestigious University of Michigan. He passed away on April 14, 1994, and generously bequeathed a portion of his estate to the Polish Falcons for education purposes. In 1998, the Gorecki Scholarship Fund was established to reward those Falcon members who demonstrate the highest academic standards and leadership qualities.

Each year, an independent panel of judges chooses a worthy Falcon member as an “Outstanding Falcon Scholar” winner of a $15,000 Scholarship Grant. This grant is awarded to the one applicant who demonstrates the highest level of academic achievement and leadership qualities apart from all other applicants.

Additional Gorecki Scholarship Grants are given in categories related to either Druh Gorecki and/or the Polish Falcons. These categories include Engineering, Physical Education, Polish Studies and Other Fields of Study. These awards include a $5,000 scholarship grant. More than one scholarship may be awarded in the Other Fields of Study category depending upon the number and quality of applicants in each category.

2007-2008 Richard C. Gorecki Scholarship Recipients.

$15,000 Outstanding Falcon Scholar Megan Stoklosa; Nest 6, Buffalo, N.Y.
	The Polish Falcons of America is pleased to announce that Megan Stoklosa of Nest 6, Buffalo, N.Y., is this year’s Richard C. Gorecki Outstanding Falcon Scholar. [Full Story]

$5,000 Engineering Grant Michael Dombroski; Nest 36, Southwestern Conn.
	As a Falcon youth, Nest 36, Southwestern Conn., member Michael Dombroski and his involvement with Falcon gym classes helped prepare him for life’s later challenges. [Full Story]

$5,000 Other Studies Grant Jeannie Knish; Nest 829, Whiting, Ind.
	Currently pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology, Nest 829, Whiting, Ind., member Jeannie Knish hopes to continue her passion of helping people of all ages. [Full Story]

$5,000 Other Studies Grant Sean Marr; Nest 679, Aliquippa, Pa.
	A junior at Penn State University, Sean Marr is studying World Languages with an emphasis in Spanish Education. [Full Story]

$5,000 Other Studies Grant Matthew Pomykala; Nest 88, New Britain, Conn.
	Growing up in a family involved with the Polish Falcons of America, Matthew Pomykala of Nest 88, New Britain, Conn., has been immersed with Polish culture his entire life, thanks in large part to parents, relatives, friends and mentors. [Full Story]

The Richard C. Gorecki Scholarship Fund is named after a longtime member of Polish Falcons Nest 79 in Southgate, Mich. Druh Gorecki was an outstanding scholar who graduated with a degree in engineering from the prestigious University of Michigan. He passed away on April 14, 1994 and generously bequeathed a portion of his estate to the Polish Falcons for educational purposes. In 1998, the Gorecki Scholarship Fund was established to reward those Falcon members who demonstrate the highest academic standards and leadership qualities.

Eligibility
A. PFA Member for six years.

B. Minimum G.P.A. 3.0 out of 4.0.

C. Scholarships will only be available to students who will be at least a Junior (third year) for the 2002-2003 academic year, enrolled full-time in a four-year college or university, or full-time post-graduate studies.

D. Previous recipients of a Starzynski Scholarship are eligible to apply for a Gorecki Scholarship. Recipients of a Gorecki Scholarship will not be eligible to apply for a Starzynski Scholarship, or another Gorecki Scholarship.

Gorecki Scholarship Grants are given in categories related to either Druh Gorecki and/or the Polish Falcons. The categories include Engineering, Polish Studies, Physical Education and Other Fields of Study. More than one scholarship may be awarded in the Other Fields of Study category depending upon the number and quality of applicants in each category.

For additional information about the Gorecki Scholarship Grants, contact National First Vice President Patricia Del Busse by e-mail or call 1-800-535-2071.

The Dr. T.A. Starzynski Scholarship Program

Application Deadline
The application deadline for 2008 Starzynski entrants is Februray 1, 2008. Download an application form here.

Description
The main objective of the Dr. T.A. Starzynski Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships for deserving Falcon members who are aspiring to attend institutions of higher learning.

Young men and women who are insured members of the Polish Falcons of America are invited to take part in applying for a Dr. T.A. Starzynski Scholarship Grant. Below are the three types of scholarships available through this program.

Mary Kus Outstanding Scholarship
This scholarship is for one PFA member who has been selected for a Falcon Achievement Scholarship and has shown an exemplary track record for involvement within the Polish Falcons organization and in his or her community. This scholarship is made possible from a generous donation by Druhna Mary Kus, who was a loyal member of Nest 17, Newark, N.J., for 61 years.

Falcon Achievement Scholarship
This scholarship is for PFA members who have taken an active part in Polish Falcons programs, participated in Nest, District and National activities, and volunteered in community service programs.

General Scholarship
This scholarship is for PFA members who have not been active participants in the Polish Falcons organization. However, candidates must have taken an active part in community service and/or volunteer programs.

Announcing the 2007-2008 Dr. T.A. Starzynski Scholarship Recipients.

Mary Kus Outstanding Scholarship Recipient
		Katherine Galezowski Nest 36 Southwestern Conn.

Falcon Achievement Scholarship Recipients

Devin Bowen Nest 176 Pittsburgh, Pa.	Caroline Kowalczyk Nest 36 Southwestern Conn	Adilina Malave Nest 519 Middletown, Conn.

John Pleckaitis Nest 580 Pittsfield, Mass.	Aaron Sieczkarek Nest 6 Buffalo, N.Y.	Noelle Skowron Nest 580 Pittsfield, Mass.

Katherine Sliwonik Nest 36 Southwestern Conn.	Christina Slomczewski Nest 6 Buffalo, N.Y.

General Falcon Sholarship Recipients

Craig Brown Nest 36 Southwestern Conn.	Francine Brym Nest 81 New Haven, Conn.	Zachary Brym Nest 81 New Haven, Conn.

Julie Chiarot Nest 493 Batavia, N.Y.	Brittany Dippel Nest 80 South Bend, Ind.	Nicholas Dippel Nest 80 South Bend, Ind.

Lauren Dynia Nest 519 Middletown, Conn.	Cynthia Ekovich Nest 564 La Porte, Ind.	Marie Federowicz Nest 8 Pittsburgh, Pa.

Steven Gajewski Nest 6 Buffalo, N.Y.	Theodore Gargano Nest 519 Middletown, Conn.	Sean Gaughan Nest 8 Pittsburgh, Pa.

Bryce Goldbach Nest 8 Pittsburgh, Pa.	Matthew Holste Nest 118 Pittsburgh, Pa.	Joanna Karausz Nest 946 Somerville, N.J.

Cassandra Manges Nest 80 South Bend, Ind.	Meghan McNamara Nest 52 Rochester, N.Y.	Kayla Montoni Nest 188 Salem, Mass.

Jessica Nowicki Nest 31 Detroit, Mich.	Kathleen Pol Nest 610 Erie, Pa.	Lauren Radziminski Nest 176 Pittsburgh, Pa.

Lindsay Randall Nest 52 Rochester, N.Y.	Edward Roginski Nest 86 Hamtramck, Mich.	Sharnae Stevens Nest 964 Reading, Pa.

Benjamin Stockman Nest 519 Middletown, Conn.	Desiree Tomich Nest 247 Donora, Pa.	Kaley Vargo Nest 4 South Bend, Ind.

Jilliana Zikaras Nest 36 Southwestern Conn.

Donations to the Starzynski Scholarship Fund
A donation to the Dr. TA Starzynski Scholarship Fund is more that just a contribution to a worthy cause, it’s a commitment to the future as we assist those PFA members who wish to further their education. Keep in mind that the Starzynski Scholarship Grants have been made possible because of the generosity of the people who contribute to this completely self-sustained fund. Please consider a donation to the Dr. TA Starzynski Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be made in memory of a loved one and are tax-deductible. Individual Contributions and Memorial Contributions are listed every month in the Sokol Polski.

Make Your Contribution
Donate to the Dr. TA Starzynski Scholarship Fund and make an investment in the future by allowing a deserving young Polish Falcon to further their education. Send contributions to: Dr. TA Starzynski Scholarship Fund, Polish Falcons of America, 615 Iron City Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4397.