Polish Man & Woman of the Year Celebration
Sunday, June 11th, 2023
2:00-4:00 PM
Free
Join us in celebrating the 2023 Polish Man and Woman of the Year! We are honored to recognize Beata and Andrzej Mekalski! The Presentation will begin at 2:15 PM with refreshments to follow. Both the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham-Ginestra House will be open for tours.
Sunday, June 11th, 2023
2:00-4:00 PM
Free
Join us in celebrating the 2023 Polish Man and Woman of the Year! We are honored to recognize Beata and Andrzej Mekalski! The Presentation will begin at 2:15 PM with refreshments to follow. Both the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham-Ginestra House will be open for tours.
Beata and Andrzej Mekalski moved to United States from Poland in 1997. Beata was born in 1974 in Bogatynia. In 1993 Beata’s parents Krystyna and Franciszek Tecza and younger brother Marek, moved to Oława. Beata is an alumnus of Jan Sobieski High School. Beata’s brother, Marek Tecza, his wife Monica, daughter Weronica and son Pawel reside in Poland.
Andrzej was born in Wrocław in 1973. His parents Helena and Edward Mekalscy moved to Olawa in 1966 from the neighboring suburbs. Andrzej graduated from the Mechanical Processing and Cutting Technical School. Andrzej has an older sister Bernadette Mekalska and niece Hannah Mekalska. In 1981 Bernadette emigrated from Poland to the United States and resides in the Rockford area.
Beata and Andrzej met in Olawa in 1994, at a local gym. They got married at the SS Peter & Paul Church in 1997. Later that year, the young family immigrated to the United States. Beata and Andrzej have two children, daughter Natalia born in Oława, Poland, and son Patrick born in Rockford, Illinois.
After the arrival in Rockford, IL, Andrzej started his first job at Advance Machine Company. A few years later, he was hired at the Woodward Governor Inc. where he still gainfully employed.
Andrzej is a member of the Polish soccer league.
Beata holds a degree in Massage Therapy from the Rockford Career College. Currently, she works as a Massage Therapist at Brynwood Myofascial Therapy.
Beata is a skin cancer survivor. In 2003 she was diagnose with melanoma cancer, which she overcome with positive attitude and support of the family.
Soon after arriving in Rockford, Beata and Andrzej became a part of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Beata’s Polish Language School adventure began by teaching Polish Language together with her sister in-law, Bernadette. Beata and Andrzej were involved in the School’s classroom renovation where Andrzej helped with new floor installation, which still serves well today.
Beata became a member of the Parish Council; she was a chairperson responsible for the Children Ministry. Part of her responsibilities included preparation of carnival games, Halloween parties, Easter Egg Hunt, and many more. All along Andrzej has been volunteering with his wife. Some of his responsibilities included preparation of music for plays and functions, help with room decorations and cleaning after Parish’s plays and parties. Both continue helping with decorating of the church for Christmas holidays, take a part of fall and spring cleanups, as well as volunteering at every important event that takes place at the Parish. They have been participating in preparation and production of thousands of pierogis sold at variety of fundraisers taking place at the Church.
Beata is a long time member of church choir (schola). She also helps with leading Parish’s youth group. Alongside artistic director, Bogumiła Sas, Beata enthusiastically leads the youth dance group “Krakowiaczek”. Andrzej is always involved in music set up for plays and functions. Both of their children are members of the “Krakowiaczek” Dance Group. Natalia met her future husband Karol at the “Krakowiaczek” Dance Group. Karol was Natalia’s dance partner; their friendship flourished, and ended in marriage.
For a few years, Beata and Andrzej have been actively involved in the Korab Amateur Theater Group. Beata is one of the stage performers and Andrzej takes charge of setting up music.
Both are active members of the Polish Festival committee helping with organization of one of the biggest annual fundraising events, the Polish Fest held at the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
Beata and Andrzej volunteer annually at the Midway Village’s World War II reenactment. Along with other volunteers, Beata and Andrzej take part in preparation of the food stand, serve food, and help with cleanup after the event.
You can always count on Beata’s and Andrzej’s help with anything that needs to be done around the St Stanislaus Parish. There is no job too small or too big.
The St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is a second home for Beata, Andrzej and their family, and Church’s parishioners considered themselves their extended family.
Our Polish community in Rockford, IL is proud to have them as a part of our Parish’s family and highly recommends them to receive honors of Woman and Man of the Year at the museum.
Andrzej was born in Wrocław in 1973. His parents Helena and Edward Mekalscy moved to Olawa in 1966 from the neighboring suburbs. Andrzej graduated from the Mechanical Processing and Cutting Technical School. Andrzej has an older sister Bernadette Mekalska and niece Hannah Mekalska. In 1981 Bernadette emigrated from Poland to the United States and resides in the Rockford area.
Beata and Andrzej met in Olawa in 1994, at a local gym. They got married at the SS Peter & Paul Church in 1997. Later that year, the young family immigrated to the United States. Beata and Andrzej have two children, daughter Natalia born in Oława, Poland, and son Patrick born in Rockford, Illinois.
After the arrival in Rockford, IL, Andrzej started his first job at Advance Machine Company. A few years later, he was hired at the Woodward Governor Inc. where he still gainfully employed.
Andrzej is a member of the Polish soccer league.
Beata holds a degree in Massage Therapy from the Rockford Career College. Currently, she works as a Massage Therapist at Brynwood Myofascial Therapy.
Beata is a skin cancer survivor. In 2003 she was diagnose with melanoma cancer, which she overcome with positive attitude and support of the family.
Soon after arriving in Rockford, Beata and Andrzej became a part of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Beata’s Polish Language School adventure began by teaching Polish Language together with her sister in-law, Bernadette. Beata and Andrzej were involved in the School’s classroom renovation where Andrzej helped with new floor installation, which still serves well today.
Beata became a member of the Parish Council; she was a chairperson responsible for the Children Ministry. Part of her responsibilities included preparation of carnival games, Halloween parties, Easter Egg Hunt, and many more. All along Andrzej has been volunteering with his wife. Some of his responsibilities included preparation of music for plays and functions, help with room decorations and cleaning after Parish’s plays and parties. Both continue helping with decorating of the church for Christmas holidays, take a part of fall and spring cleanups, as well as volunteering at every important event that takes place at the Parish. They have been participating in preparation and production of thousands of pierogis sold at variety of fundraisers taking place at the Church.
Beata is a long time member of church choir (schola). She also helps with leading Parish’s youth group. Alongside artistic director, Bogumiła Sas, Beata enthusiastically leads the youth dance group “Krakowiaczek”. Andrzej is always involved in music set up for plays and functions. Both of their children are members of the “Krakowiaczek” Dance Group. Natalia met her future husband Karol at the “Krakowiaczek” Dance Group. Karol was Natalia’s dance partner; their friendship flourished, and ended in marriage.
For a few years, Beata and Andrzej have been actively involved in the Korab Amateur Theater Group. Beata is one of the stage performers and Andrzej takes charge of setting up music.
Both are active members of the Polish Festival committee helping with organization of one of the biggest annual fundraising events, the Polish Fest held at the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
Beata and Andrzej volunteer annually at the Midway Village’s World War II reenactment. Along with other volunteers, Beata and Andrzej take part in preparation of the food stand, serve food, and help with cleanup after the event.
You can always count on Beata’s and Andrzej’s help with anything that needs to be done around the St Stanislaus Parish. There is no job too small or too big.
The St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is a second home for Beata, Andrzej and their family, and Church’s parishioners considered themselves their extended family.
Our Polish community in Rockford, IL is proud to have them as a part of our Parish’s family and highly recommends them to receive honors of Woman and Man of the Year at the museum.