A Profile Of Megan Stoklosa

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.

Megan has long been a participant of Falcon youth programs, from District IX Bowling events, along with Track and Field outings, to PFA National Volleyball tournaments and zlots. Even when she is not crossing a finish line or serving volleyballs over a net, Megan has attended many Falcon events as an Instructress or Field Assistant, whether she was teaching younger members the finer points of setting and spiking or keeping track of scores and results.

Even though these District and National events take much planning and preparation, Megan has also shown a dedication to her Nest’s regularly scheduled youth events. As an Assistant Gymnastics Instructress, Megan helps teach Nest 6 youth the Falcon Girl’s Drill and National Drill, along with assisting the tumbling class. She has also helped organize Nest 6’s annual youth Easter and Christmas parties since 1998.

But it is not just youth events that Megan is involved in with Nest 6. For years, she has participated in many other activities. Among them include volunteering as a server at Nest 6’s annual Steak and Corn Roast, an activity that draws about 100 members every August. And when Megan isn’t greeting those in attendance, she is lending a hand afterward as part of the clean-up crew. She has also volunteered in a similar capacity at Nest 6’s Spaghetti and Anniversary dinners, along with organizing raffles for the Nest’s annual Hospice Charity Golf Tournament.

Another Nest-sponsored event that Megan takes an active role in is the Nest’s yearly trip to a Felician Sisters Convent and Health/Wellness Center. Along with preparing gifts for the nuns who live at this residence, Megan is also one of the many members who makes the visit. “When the nuns see us coming in, they have the biggest smiles on their faces, and they know that we are from the Polish Falcons of America. Some of the nuns recognize our organization because they tell us about family members who have been members,” Megan wrote in her application letter.

Megan has also volunteered and donated to the Nest’s “Ladies Day Out,” whose proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Every October, this event features a luncheon, a featured speaker and a basket auction. Last October, more than 75 baskets were raffled off, and Megan played a vital role in this event’s success. “Megan assists with the mailing of letters, acquiring donations for the baskets and actually assembling the baskets before the big day. Megan also helps in the kitchen the day of the event,” said Event Chairperson Jill Stark.

Outside of her Falcon involvement, Megan has participated in an annual May Hospice 5-mile Walk fundraiser organized by Buffalo’s Erie Basin Marina. She also volunteers at Catholic Parents Organization Christmas youth parties as a face-painter, gift-giver and crafts assistant. In addition, Megan is the only young adult to volunteer as an Eucharistic Minister at her nearby Mother of Divine Grace R.C. Church.

Currently a student at Buffalo’s Canisius College, Megan has a dual major in History and International Business. “I have always had a passion for history and learning about other cultures,” she wrote in her application letter. “I feel that having an education in Business will help me no matter where I end up in the future.” One place she will end up, at least for a semester, will be in Ireland. She plans on traveling overseas in 2008 and says the experience will be useful to both of her majors and teach her how the business world operates overseas. She noted that if Canisius would have offered overseas study courses in Poland, or in one of the Slavic states, that she would have traveled to one of these locations instead of Ireland.

After graduating from Canisius, which she said will be sometime in 2009, Megan noted that she plans on going to graduate school for History and then on to receive a doctorate. “It will be a long road, but I feel ready to take on this journey. My main interest is ancient history, and I plan on focusing my studies on ancient cultures and Europe from its beginning to the Middle Ages,” she wrote in her application letter. When Megan is finished with her doctorate, her goal is to become a college professor with a focus on ancient history.