HANNA SOBIERAJSKI MEMORIAL AWARD

Hanna Karolina Sobierajski
(1929-1999)

Hania Sobierajski was born on November 4, 1929 in Skierniewice, Poland to Konstancja and Władyslaw Marciniak.  She was the youngest of six children, three of which died due to hardships encountered during World War I.  Hania was only 10 years old when World War II broke out in Poland.  Determined to continue her education, Hania attended "underground schooling."  Hania's own fight during WWII was that of being a "courier", delivering messages that were printed in the "underground", risking death to herself as well as to her entire family.

In 1945, after the end of WWII, Hania resumed her formal education and showed an interest and talent in the arts.  She was drawn towards theater and began taking part in many amateur theater production that were presented in the "Dom Kultury" in Skierniewice.  After graduating from high school, Hania passed her entrance exam to enter the "higher School of Theater" in Lodz.  However, due to family financial difficulties Hania moved to Warsaw, which was in almost complete ruins after the war, to find work.  There she signed up for the "Młodziezowych Hufcow Pracy" that was run under the organized "Słuzba Polsce".  Along with many others, she helped to clean up and rebuild Warsaw.  Soon after, she created technical drawings for the "Metrobudowa."

Never forgetting her love of the theater, Hania took part in an amateur theater group that was located in the "Dom Kultury" at the American Y.M.C.A.  This love of theater had pushed Hania to change jobs from working for the "Metrobudowa" to Teatr "Lalka", even if this meant a significant pay-cut.  Teatr "Lalka", a theater for children, had opened in the newly built "Palac Kultury" (the tallest building in Warsaw).   Among Hania's many talents was that of sculpting and creating puppets and marionettes from start to finish under the direction of Adam Kilian, a well-known puppeteer.  Her countless creations continued to be used for many years throughout Europe, even after she had left the theater.

In 1962, Hania married Leonard Teodor Sobierajski and left her beloved Poland to come to the United States.  She devoted her life to raising her two daughters, Monika and Lidia, instilling in them her love of the Polish culture, Polish language and the arts.  Unable to pursue her love of music, she made it a goal to have both daughters be able to live out one of her dreams, by nurturing their musical talents in piano.  Hania had always wanted to become a member of Polanki and it was only recently that she, along with her daughter Monika and Lidia, was able and proud to do so.  Her dream was to someday be able to sponsor a scholarship in her name.  Today her dream comes true.  She will always be remembered for her sense of humor, colorful personality, delicious baked goods, persistence and willingness to help out others.  She will be greatly missed by all those that were fortunate to know her.  Polanki is proud to give this scholarship in Hania's name.

AWARD WINNERS

2000 Recipient:    Melissa Molenaar
                                    University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
                                    Accounting

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