Dancing Under the Shadow of Light
The story of Katriona & Monika
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In the spring of 2023, we presented the concert " Dancing Under the Shadow of Light" In memory of two young girls who lost their lives to a drunk driver, Monika Skrzypkowski and Katriona Koziara.
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Katka (Katriona Koziara) was the light of her mother’s life. She was a 13 years old student of Fryderyk Chopin Polish School who was going to begin her 8th grade in September 2023. She also loved music and was passionate about break dance! She absolutely loved it not only to dance it but also to teach it to others in the studio.
To her teachers and peers, Katka was the Light of the stage. But her life was cut short abruptly, on the way to vacation in Minnesota. The fiery crash in that summer, caused by a drunk and selfish woman, took 13 years old Katka away from her family and all who loved her, along with six others, who were in the car. She is now the Shadow (of a) Dancer, present in the harts of many. In Her Memory we will present deserving student special scholarship 2024.
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Monia (Monika Skrzypkowski) was also a dancer. Her sparkling smile made her shine like a Light. In 2008 she lost her life at 15 years old, in a hit and run of a drunk driver. She became the Shy Shadow, that she created in one of her poems.
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Under the Shadow of Light of Katriona and Monika, the host of artists danced and sang to send the message to the world, Don’t Drink and Drive!
Awards 2020
Because She Wanted to Make Impact...
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The family of Monika Skrzypkowski wishes to honor their daughter, Monika, by presenting two $1,000.00 awards to a deserving students going on to a higher education.
This student must demonstrate the understanding that this award has been created because someone made the bad decision to drink and drive and take a life in doing so. This understanding must be part of their essay.
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Monika was a sophomore at John Hersey High School and Emilia Plater Polish School. She was a member of “Polanie” Song & Dance Ensemble, “Male Wici” Dance Ensemble and a member of Polish National Alliance. She was a loving daughter, trust worthy friend and she believed in God. She had a lot of living to do. Sadly, a drunk driver took her life on December 6, 2008 in Prospect Heights, IL. She was 15 years old.
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In Her memory we are proud to present:
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1. MONIKA SKRZYPKOWSKI AWARENESS SCHOLARSHIP
Award of $1,000.00 to a John Hersey High School graduate.
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2. MONIKA SKRZYPKOWSKI HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP Award of $1,000.00 to a student of Polish decent of any high school and the student must be involved in Polish School or cultural activities of Polish artistic groups or other Polish educational entities which give back to the community and demonstrate the pride in Polish Heritage by their actions in those activities.
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The requirements are as follows:
• The student must be attending a 4 year university, or a two year junior college, trade school or technology program, with the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or certification. (Please include the name of the university, junior college, trade school or technical school/ program that you hope to be accepted to. If you have not decided yet, please include your possibilities.)
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• The student should be a person who has made the choice to abstain from alcohol or drugs during their years at high school. They must show that good judgment during these difficult times has its reward. The student should be a role model who can show others that they believe in living life to the fullest without the aid of alcohol or drugs.
• The student must submit a written essay on the topic chosen on the application.
The $1,000.00 Scholarship Award will be paid directly to the university. One payment for $500.00 will be paid in the first semester and the second installment for $500.00 will be paid the second semester during the same school year.