PAST EVENTS

2022 Events:

November 18th, 2022
- Members of the PCSAW participated in the Polish-Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor 25th Anniversary Dinner. The PCSAW was awarded the 'gold award' for outstanding contributions to the Windsor Polish Community

October 16th, 2022
- Dozynki, Harvest Festival and Gala of Excellence 2022. Members of the Polish Canadian Students Association of Windsor enjoyed this event hosted by the Polonia Centre of Windsor. Many of our groups students won scholarship awards and the PCSAW was awarded a grant from the Polonia Centre of Windsor. President Suzie Sawicki spoke about the organizations past and future and the group continues to grow.

July 14th, 2022
- The Polish Canadian Students' Association of Windsor were finally able to host our first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak. We have waited 2 1/2 long years to finally have everyone together and discuss our plans for the upcoming year. Thank you to Dom Polski for welcoming us into their space and hosting our meeting!
- Stowarzyszenie Polsko-Kanadyjskich Studentow w Windsor, w końcu moglo zorganizowac pierwsze, osobiste spotkanie od rozpoczecia pandemi Covid-19. Czekalismy dlugie 2 1/2 roku aby spotkac sie wszyscy razem I przedyskutowac nasze plany na nastepny rok. Dziekujemy Domowi Polskiemu za udostepnienie miejsca na nasze spotkanie!
May 1st - May 31st
- The PCSAW participated in many events related to May, Polish Heritage Month across Windsor-Essex

2021 Events:

Heritage Day in Poland
- Due to COVID-19, the University of Windsor's Leddy Library, in partnership with the PCSAW will be hosting Polish Heritage Day in Windsor online.
- The exhibit will reflect 3 important themes
  - Contribution of Poles to Canada
  - Why Poles are grateful to Canada
  - Contribution of Poles to the World.

Ceremonies for November 11th, National Independence Day of Poland
- Event is organized and sponsored by the Cultural Committee of Polonia Centre (Windsor) Inc.
- The restoration of Poland’s independence was gradual. The 11 November date chosen is the one on which Marshal Józef Pilsudski assumed control of Poland

Wreath Laying for Polish-Canadian Veterans, Remembrance Day/Christmas
- The PCSAW is currently looking for donations for wreaths to be laid on the tombs of Polish-Canadian veterans in Windsor
- Ceremonies will take place during Remembrance Day and Christmas
- To donate, contact our Secretary at pcsaw.contact@gmail.com

Activities Post COVID-19
- Paczki & tea sale
- Kapusta sale
- Table at UWindsor involvement fair

Other Past Events

August 26, 2020 - PCSAW Official Meeting #2

The second PCSAW meeting successfully look place on August 26, 2020 at 6:30pm via zoom. The group went over the constitution, media accounts, project planning, budgeting, and events for our members to attend this fall.

August 7, 2020 - PCSAW Official Election Meeting #1

The PCSAW team met via zoom to vote of the 2020-2022 Board of Directors. The following positions were voted on: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media Lead. For more information on the responsibilities of the executive members, visit the constitution tab. The new team discussed fundraising ideas, initiatives with other Polonia groups, and event plans. Meeting agenda and minutes will soon be made available.

August 4, 2020 - Meeting at the Polish Beach, Harrow

Gathering of the new members of PCSAW along with past executive team members, KPK members. Discussion of change events of events due to COVID-19

2014-2015 - PCSAW Game Nights

Social nights full of tabletop games, beer, and Polish food!

May 23, 2014 - Quo Vadis Info Session

PCSAW talked everything Quo Vadis at this info session, ranging from conference details to travel. We are extremely excited for this conference!

PCSAW hosted the second Quo Vadis Conference here in Windsor in 2010 and has had its members present at each conference, ranging from Calgary to Austraila!

Get news and updates for Quo Vadis Vancouver

November 16, 2013 - Polish Week in Windsor Events by PCSAW

PCSAW had a lot going on during this year's Polish Week in Windsor!

First, we held Young Canadians of Polish Heritage - A Panel on Success where various speakers shared their success stories in their respective fields.

Later in the evening, we hosted the first ever Polonia's Got Talent! competition where 18 contestants demonstrated various talents in their respective age categories, as well as special performances by PCSAW members. After the show, we all enjoyed a spectacular Diskoteka with DJ Mikey.

Congratulations to our winners:

Youth Category (12 + Under):
1st - David Makarczyk (9) for his recitation of Oppman's 'Rok 1918'
2nd - Maya Natonski (10) for her singing cover of Sumptuastic's 'Kolysanka'
3rd - Julia Kawala (9) for her dance to Weekend's 'Ona Tanczy dla mnie'

Teen Category (13-16):
1st - Radek Budzik (15) for his violin performance of Wieniawski's 'Kujawiak'
2nd - Michael & Marysia Zalewski (13 & 7) for their singing cover of the folk song 'Oczy Czarne'
3rd - Julia Zalewski (15) for her singing cover of Maryla Rodowicz's 'Ech Mala'

Adult Category (17-25):
1st - Natalia Glinska (21) for her painting 'Krakowiak'
2nd - Jonathan Nari (17) for his piano performance of Chopin's 'Prelude in e minor'
3rd - Anne-Marie Kaczmarczyk (17) for her painting 'Essence of Poland'

Honourable mentions:
Ania Budzik (10) for her violin performance of Oginski's 'Polonez'
Noah & Tiana Gagnon (9 & 7) for their violin duet of Chopin's 'The Wish'
Nicole Balon (16) for her dance to Lady Gaga's 'Americano'
Jessica Craymer (19) for her poem 'A Northern Winter'

- PCSAW Exec

September 15, 2013 - Dom Polski's Seasonal Beach Closing Bash

Dom Polski is closing up the beach season with an all out beach-event on September 15 and we've been invited! PCSAW will once again be providing s'mores for all, so let us know if you need a ride! As per usual, Polish food will be available (pierogi, sausage, etc.), bar, volleyball net, ping-pong, and other fun activities.

Cost is $5 per vehicle, so best to get some carpools going!

We hope to see you there!

- Ania Barycka

September 1, 2013 - PCSAW Beach Day

Members of PCSAW found themselves staying in Windsor during the Labour Day long-weekend, so we decided to spend a day at the Polska Plaza!
Although Windsor's weather was rainy, we found the beach to be basking in the sun. We enjoyed delicious pierogi and kielbaski served on the spot, volleyball, badminton, and reading on the beach. Of course we also made delicious s'mores with a variety of different chocolate! We had so much fun that we decided to go again for the beach's official seasonal closing party.

- Michelle Gajewski

August 24-26, 2012 - Quo Vadis IV: Modern Leaders: Own Your Identity (Chicago, IL)

Quo Vadis IV took place in Chicago, Illinois. This was a historical event on its own, since it was the first ever QV hosted in the United States. The dream of QV was attained, it had been hosted throughout most of North America. The young students, professionals, and leaders were exposed to the theme of Modern Leaders: Own Your Identity. Many influential, motivating, and powerful individuals were present and taught us, the youth who are also the future generation, how to capture our unique identity. Everyone had a different approach and life lessons but the main idea stayed the same throughout! The weekend consisted of mentoring and networking, workshops, as well as lectures, and of course panels and round table discussions. This truly was an eye-opening experience that shall not be easily forgotten and will hold much wisdom that cannot be truly learned from a book.

- Natalia Mroz

August 17-19, 2012 - Quo Vadis IV: Integration (Calgary, AB)

Held on the weekend of August 17th to the 19th, Quo Vadis Calgary 2012 was the 4th installment of this conference series, and took place in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Through lectures, symposia, workshops, events, and interactive challenges, delegates will be able to develop their leadership qualities and create and strengthen their networks throughout the conference weekend. Quo Vadis offers the opportunity for young adults to gain an appreciation for their Polish heritage while learning how to contribute to their respective societies and strengthen the communities they live in. This year’s theme has been chosen to be integration; integration of Polish youth into existing Polish organizations, integration among other cultural groups in the larger Canadian community, and integration of Polish youth globally.

November 19, 2011 - A Night Downtown

Members of PCSAW and their friends headed out to enjoy Windsor's nightlife and danced the night away all while meeting and making new friends. It was a great and eventful night that none of us are soon to forget!

- Michelle Gajewski

June 4, 2011 - Polska Plaza Clean-Up

PCSAW put on its work gloves once again in order to help Dom Polski clean-up the Polish Beach for the summer season. Thank you to all of our volunteers that came out!

May 13-15, 2011 - Quo Vadis III: Tools for Success (Toronto, ON)

The world, and especially Poland, is rife with opportunities for the new visionaries, the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, collaborators and leaders who took part in the conference. It is the purpose of Quo Vadis 3 to provide the tools for success needed for Poland’s best young minds, at home and abroad, to achieve the goals and answers they seek when they ask the question where are we going? Quo Vadis?

May 7-9, 2010 - Quo Vadis II: Building Bridges, Building Leaders (Windsor, ON)

PCSAW was extremely proud to establish a Quo Vadis tradition by organizing the second conference in Windsor. This conference followed in the footsteps of Quo Vadis I, which ignited a spark in young people from across North America to get involved and help shape their communities and country.

This year's conference brought together over 150 delegates from all corners of North America to take part in a weekend of activities, discussion, and events centered around three key values: heritage, leadership, and unity. The goal of the conference was to give all participating delegates the opportunity to network with each other, hone their leadership skills, test their abilities, and learn from the inspirational examples of prominent leaders.

The theme of this year's conference, “Building Bridges”, has a special resonance to where it took place. The Ambassador Bridge in Windsor was chiefly engineered by a Pole, Rudolf Modrzejewski (son of famous Polish actress Helena Modrzejewska). Since 1929 it has been the largest transportation corridor in the world carrying 40% of the trade turnover between Canada and the United States. That chapter of Polish-American history began in 1929; now it is the responsibility of our generation to continue this great tradition.

August 10-16, 2009 - Midland Pielgrzymka

Every year, the Holy Trinity Church in Windsor organizes a “Pielgrzymka” or a “Walking Pilgramage” which is a walk of Catholic prayer, songs, and worship. This pilgrimage is a tribute to and modeled after the historic travel to Czestochowa from all the corners of Poland. The “Walking Pilgrimage” is a 6 day travel by foot to Martyrs Shrine in Midland where one can feel the strength of God’s love and be supported by the hundreds of other walkers. For more information and registration contact pcsaw.info@gmail.com, all ages are welcome!

- Adam Pawlowicz

July 19, 2009 - PCSAW Picnic

PCSAW held it's first ever picnic at the Polska Plaza! We enjoyed kilbaski by the ognisko, relaxing on the beach, and very intense card games. It was a great way to pass a summer day.

-Michelle Gajewski

June 6, 2009 - Polska Plaza Clean-Up

PCSAW would like to start the summer right and do something good for Windsor’s Polish Community. Our task? We will be cleaning Polska Plaza all day on June 6th, with hopefully much help from other youths besides our organization. Those who help out will be able to camp over night (bring tents/campers and a good attitude!). Community hours will be awarded to all volunteers if needed. Also, later on in the summer PCSAW will hold a picnic at Polska Plaza, so come join us for a weekend of music, food and much much more after we clean up our beach!

- Michal Bronkowski

May 1-3, 2009 - Quo Vadis I: Canadian Youth Leadership Challenge (Ottawa, ON)

“I was very excited for the May 3rd Conference held in Ottawa, especially since I found out there hasn’t been a Polish-Canadian student-organized conference since 1977! From the time I settled in at the Lord Elgin (which was a very fine hotel), until the Sunday of the conference, everything was organized to the best of the Ottawa Polish club’s ability. Events were interesting, informative, and held in high caliber places such as Centre Block Parliament, and the Polish Embassy, which was my favorite evening. During the Leadership Challenge, I ran way over 5km throughout all of Ottawa, but loved every minute of it. Even though exhaustion took the best of us (4 hours of sleep each night), I’m glad I had this experience to meet so many people and we, as PCSAW will work very hard to prepare the May 2010 Conference in Windsor!”

- Janeta Szczepanik

“Quo Vadis was a life-time experience! I will never forget the people I met, the infusing Polish atmosphere and the – even though limited – time I spent with future Polish-Canadian leaders of Canada. For me, it was very informative to have so many professionals share their experiences focusing on leadership, heritage and unity. This conference prepared me with confidence and I gained contacts from all over the country. I learned that young leaders can make a difference by becoming involved and taking initiative to organize events ourselves. If I was to be invited to another Polish-Canadian national conference, I would book my trip and send in my deposit that day. I bet everyone had such similar reflections from this experience as me.”

- Michal Bronkowski

“On April 30th 2009, six PCSAW members boarded a train to Ottawa to participate in the Quo Vadis? Polish Canadian Youth Leadership Challenge”. For lodging we enjoyed the royal treatment of the Lord Elgin Hotel, and then braved the hard floor of Dom Polski. We walked (ran!) all over Ottawa in search of historical buildings, important monuments and our Prime Ministers’ house. Many prominent Canadians of Polish descent spoke and motivated us to embrace our culture and make a difference in our own communities. Participants also enjoyed a night at the Embassy, where we mingled with other delegates and the conference’s guest speakers. I am thrilled to be part of the planning committee for next year’s conference! Our group hopes to make it as unforgettable as Quo Vadis!”

- Michelle Gajewska

January 20, 2009 - Skating

PCSAW’s Bonfire ended with the whisper of winter around the corner, providing the perfect atmosphere for the group’s next project. What better way to take advantage of the snowy, cold weather than skating? The biting wind did nothing to fend off the eager youth of PCSAW, who laced up their skates and set off (occasionally falling) on yet another night to remember.

- Monika Wojtera