Polish American Art Association Awards 2024 Scholarships
The Polish American Arts Association of Washington, DC has awarded Stanley Wolanin, a rising sophomore studying computer science at Virginia Commonwealth University, and James Bennett, a rising senior studying economics and music performance at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, with scholarships in the sum of $2,500, respectively. The two recipients were selected out of a pool of applicants based on their strong academic record, volunteer work, musical talents and longstanding involvement in the Polish-American community.
“We are delighted to recognize Stanley Wolanin and James Bennett as 2024 PAAA Scholars. Their commitment to the promotion of Polish culture, as exemplified through their volunteer involvement and musical endeavors, greatly impressed our scholarship committee” noted Matthew Stefanski, Polish American Arts Association President and a 2011 recipient of the PAAA scholarship. “It is our sincere hope that this scholarship will not only support Stanley and James in their academic pursuits, but also serve as recognition of all the good work they are doing to promote Polish-American culture, heritage and the arts.”
Stanley has been deeply involved with the Eagle-Orzeł Educational and Cultural Exchange, Inc., a non–profit dedicated to creating and facilitating educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland, where he currently serves as student ambassador on the Board of Directors and has volunteered as a peer tutor at their annual summer camps in Poland. He will be returning to Suwałki, Poland this summer to again mentor students at an Eagle-Orzeł summer language camp.
James is a former student of the Polish Saturday School in Washington, DC and is a piano accompanist at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Vienna, VA. At university he is active in the Polish Club, which he hopes to lead next year, and the Notre Dame Symphonic Orchestra. This summer, he will be participating in a summer music workshop in Poland to grow as a musician and further immerse himself in Polish culture.
The scholarship presentation was held on April 28 at the Arts Club of Washington, housed in the stately Cleveland Abbe House, the former home of President James Monroe. The PAAA Scholarship Program accepts applications every year from January-March, and over the course of the past 25 years, PAAA has awarded 75 scholarships to outstanding Polish-American students to support their academic and artistic pursuits. To qualify, students must be currently studying at an accredited college or university in the United States. All applicants must be either from, or studying in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia. For full criteria and eligibility, please visit https://www.paaa.us/scholarship
The Polish American Arts Association of Washington, DC was established in 1966 and is committed to promoting Polish culture in our nation’s capital. PAAA is open to all who seek to advance greater understanding between Poland and the United States, maintain Polish customs and traditions, and promote the Polish-American community.
Stanley Wolanin, center, pictured with PAAA scholarship committee members Dr. Laura Kafka-Price, Rose Kobylinski and Matthew Stefanski