Apply for Scholarship
History of the Polish Arts Scholarship Trust
In 1985, Frank and Wanda Winiarz, co-presidents of the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, Inc. established the Polish Arts Scholarship Trust. It began with the investment of approximately $25,000 from the profits of a National Convention that the Club hosted in 1985. Robert Ciesielski, attorney and club member, drew up the formal Trust agreement.
Three trustees, who are elected by the directors of the Polish Arts Club, administer the scholarship. The trustees have the responsibility of investing the funds of the scholarship, so that money will be available for future awards. Wanda Winiarz was the chair of the trustees from the conception of the scholarship until 1996. Leonard Sikora was the trustee chair from 1996 to 2010. Stan Nowak is the current trustee chair.
The members of the selection committee advertise the scholarship, review the applications, and interview each of the finalists. Annemarie Franczyk was the selection chair from 1986 to 1998, and Anne Flansburg has been selection chair from 1998 to the present.
Since 1986 the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo Scholarship Foundation has awarded 70 scholarships to Polish American students for a total value of $70,500.
Scholarship Recipients to Date
This list of Polish Arts Scholarship winners is compiled from a list furnished to the Trustees by Annemarie Franczyk, selection chair from 1986 to 1998, and Anne Flansburg, selection chair from 1998 to the present.
| 1986 | Karen Kleinmann | Mary Swartzwelder |
| 1987 | Alan Kryszak | Mary Swartzwelder |
| 1988 | Cynthia Przybyl | Alan Kryszak |
| 1989 | Peter Kopera | Alan Kryszak |
| 1990 | Krzysztof Witek | Thomas Witakowski |
| 1991 | Thea Zastempowski | Elaine Pawlak |
| 1992 | Christopher Sierzchula | Debra Imiolo |
| 1993 | Jolie Marie Brown | Peter Jakubowski |
| 1994 | Jeffery Kazukiewicz | |
| 1995 | Jeffery Kazukiewicz | Michael Slon |
| 1995 | Kristinn Rzepkowski | |
| 1996 | Justin Pomietizarz | Michele Kiec |
| 1997 | Jarnot | |
| 1998 | Suzette Henry | Steven Backowski |
| 1999 | Jessie Wicher | |
| 2000 | Jessica Kielb | |
| 2001 | Laurie Stahrr | |
| 2002 | Kristen Kubisty | Ericka Milczarski |
| 2003 | Chris J. Handley | Tara Laurie |
| 2003 | Mary Beth Wrobel | |
| 2004 | Bryan Banach | Kelly Bochynski |
| 2004 | Steven Dunning | Lindsay Gabryszak |
| 2005 | Michael Rakoczy | Sabatino Scirri |
| 2005 | Kyle-Lynn Tuttle | |
| 2006 | Stephani Greer | Gregory Wlosinski |
| 2007 | Trevor Jelowski | |
| 2008 | Rose Valby | Elizabeth Wojtowicz |
| 2009 | Cyril Bodnar III | Brittany Mruczek |
| 2010 | Christina Slomczewski | |
| 2011 | Rachel A. Bicheler | |
| 2012 | Sarah Lewandowski | John Smigelski |
| 2013 | Kyle Baran | Mary Jane Masiulionis |
| 2014 | Patricia Manos | Mark Pietruszka |
| 2015 | Justin Kohan | Aaron Zakrzewski |
| 2016 | Brandon Mellerski | Conrad Ziarniak |
| 2017 | John Szablewski | |
| 2018 | Justina Wolanin | |
| 2019 | Collin McCrea | Amelia Wroblewski |
| 2020 | Ryan Washcalus | |
| 2021 | Evangelista Schmarder | |
| 2022 | Anna Pascucci | Kristen Smigielski |
| 2023 | Melanie Babak | Elizabeth Fomenko |
| 2024 | Mark Bogacki |
Eligibility
The applicant must be a student of Polish ancestry, a legal resident of New York State, residing in Western New York and majoring in the Visual or Performing Arts. The applicant must be enrolled at the junior, senior or graduate level in an accredited College or University. An application is available on the website, and must be completed, all requirements fulfilled and postmarked by the specified deadline.
Deadline
Applications for scholarship will be accepted after March 1, 2025 and must be electronically received by May 1, 2025.
Selection Committee
Anne Flansburg (Chair)
Regina Hanchak
Felix Klempka
John Medwid
Stanley Nowak
Anne Szczesny
Trustees
Stanley Nowak (Chair)
Anne Flansburg
Felix Klempka
Polish Arts Club of Buffalo Inc.
Scholarship Foundation
$1500.00 Scholarship Application
Deadline
Applications will be accepted after March 1, 2025 and must be postmarked by May 1, 2025.
Eligibility
This Scholarship Foundation Trust was created and is being operated exclusively for providing Educational Scholarships to students of Polish ancestry, a legal resident of New York State, residing in Western New York and majoring in the Visual or Performing Arts.
The applicant must be enrolled at the junior, senior or graduate level in an accredited College or University.
Requirements
A 300-word essay on a Polish Artist or performer who has contributed to your field of study and indicate how this individual has influenced you.
Two letters of recommendation from current Professional and/or Academic Sources.
Finalists will be contacted for an interview.
Interview Committee
Anne Flansburg, Chair
Regina Hanchak
Felix Klempka
John Medwid
Stanley Nowak
Ann Szczesny
Trustees
Stanley Nowak, Chair
Anne Flansburg
Felix Klempka