Dear visitors.
On November 26, the gymnasium will celebrate its 130th anniversary.
Over the years, thousands of graduates have gone on to achieve great things in life.
Below you will find memories of some of our graduates and photos from different times.
List of people who sent greetings to the 130th anniversary of the gymnasium
- Natalia Ereskovska (Trubnikova), graduated in 1997.
- Valentyna Velivchenko, graduated in 1969.
Viktor Velivchenko, graduated in 2002. - Anastasia Ivanenko, graduated in 2003.
- Denis Shpak, 1997 graduate.
- Dashkovska (Mashkarova) Oksana, graduated in 1979.
- Tkachova Tatiana, 2008 graduate.
- Maria Shchedrina, 2008 graduate.
- Belous (Morrow) Olena, graduated in 1989.
- Anna Belous (Vagramova), graduated in 1984.
- Kirianova (Havrikova) Halyna, graduated in 1989.
- Anna Kilchenko, graduated in 2001.
Kilchenko Vilen - Oksana Yeremieieva, graduated in 1999.
- Oleksandr Bykov, graduated in 2005.
- Nepochatenko (Huk) Oksana, graduated in 1988.
- Iryna Vinnichenko, graduated in 2006.
- Kateryna Vii, 2006 graduate.
- Daria Ovcharova, graduated in 2006.
Andriy Khlyvnyuk
D. in Political Science DENYS ROSTYSLAVOVICH SHPAK.
Graduated in 1997.
Born in a small town in Kem, Karelia, Russia. After a while, his parents moved to Cherkasy.
He entered the First City Gymnasium in 1992 in the 7th grade. At that time, the First School was the best secondary school in our city, respected by fellow teachers from other schools, parents and students. The admission requirements were very strict, but I was lucky enough to pass the tests and get into the A-class. It was in this class that I spent the best years of my youth. Most of my friends, with whom I still have the pleasure of communicating today, graduated from 11-A together in 1997.
After graduation, I entered the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Given the depth of my knowledge of English, Ukrainian language and literature that I had acquired at school, as well as my desire to become a career diplomat, I chose the Department of International Relations. It's worth mentioning that during the entrance exams, the chairman of the English Admissions Committee, who I later learned was the most respected dean of the Institute's foreign language department by students and faculty, noted my deep level of English language skills. I remember how the members of the Ukrainian Language and Literature Committee asked me excellent questions about the institution I had graduated from. It's hard to imagine how happy I was to say “First City Gymnasium! The city of Cherkasy!”. For this knowledge, as well as for understanding, support, and help, I am grateful to our class teacher, Lyudmila Manuikina, who opened the way to the future for us. Thanks to her, most of the graduates have gained the desire for knowledge, development and improvement. How much effort she spent on us every day, striving only for the good of her “chicks”!
I graduated from the Institute of International Relations in 2002, receiving a diploma with honors and an invitation from the department to join the ranks of its postgraduate students. Along with entering the postgraduate program of the Institute of International Relations, I started my career. For two years, I was both an assistant consultant to the People's Deputy of Ukraine and worked as the Head of the Protocol Department of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, conducting all protocol activities of the Minister during the preparation and holding of the 5th All-European Conference of Ministers of Environmental Protection, and also worked at the Center for Legal Reform and Legislative Work at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, conducting international cooperation and developing projects of cooperation between the Center and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. In the fall of 2004, I was invited to head the international cooperation department at the High Council of Justice of Ukraine, where I have been working since then. While working at the High Council of Justice, I graduated from the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine with a master's degree.
In early 2008, I received a PhD in Political Science with a specialization in Political Problems of International Systems and Global Development, have published a number of scientific articles, and participate in scientific conferences. The degree opened the way for me to teach at universities in our country and the opportunity to repay the school by developing the abilities and skills of former students, current students and future professionals, scholars, political and civic leaders, and possibly the President of Ukraine.
I have great respect for all the teachers of my native school, realizing the difficulties of their daily work, which cannot be overestimated. Thank you very much for the years that I had the honor to spend in the walls of the Gymnasium, for the knowledge gained from our teachers! These years are impossible to forget! The First City Gymnasium is forever engraved in my heart!!!
Oksana Dashkovska (Mashkarova)
Graduate 1979
I always remember school with great warmth, although I was not a very exemplary student. I always remember my favorite teachers - Valentina Dmitrievna (biology teacher), Polina Naumovna (English language), Galina Ignatovna (mathematics), Ludiya Fedorovna (mathematics), Alexander Mikhailovich (physics), Lidiya Petrovna (Ukrainian language) and many others. Some, alas, are no longer alive, but the good, eternal, that they tried to sow in us, their students, I think lives in many of us. Honor and praise to such teachers! Today, unfortunately, real teachers from God do not often come to schools.
Tatiana Tkacheva
A graduate of 2008
The highly educated pedagogical staff of the gymnasium managed to invent a unique formula for success.
The warm, family-like atmosphere and support of talented young people gave me the opportunity to believe in myself and my own strength. And this is so important for a young person. Everyone who studies here is a leader of modern society. And they are studying, because the proud name of a gymnasium student, a student of the First City Gymnasium, will remain with us forever!
So I wish my native gymnasium prosperity, new creative ups and gifted students!
Maria Shchedrina
I graduated in 2008.
It's been two years since I graduated from the First City Gymnasium. I can't forget those ten years when caring teachers taught me the most important thing - to be able to learn all my life. The gymnasium taught me to be myself, to believe in my strength and the invincible spirit of the gymnasium family.
Now I am a student and it is even more pleasant when I find out that my teachers are also gymnasium students. They are people of titanium minds, big hearts and souls. I am convinced that the gymnasium will continue to educate an intellectually and spiritually developed Ukrainian generation for many more centuries. Many thanks to the teachers for becoming our second parents. I wish all the founders of the gymnasium health, strength, inspiration and pleasure from working with the next generations of students.
Alexander Bykov
Graduate of 2005
Hello! Of course, I will be glad to express my feelings for my native school), I hope the editorial board will find them “politically correct” =))).
When I remember the years I spent at school (either by myself or surrounded by my classmates), I always get a pleasant feeling of joy and a little pinch of nostalgia for those years when you yourself are small (up to a certain class, of course), and everything around you seems so big, for the years when you believe in magic.
The first city gymnasium gave me good basic knowledge in most subjects of the school program, not to mention English, which is firmly rooted in my mind, and which I know well enough to feel more or less at ease with native speakers of this language (all this considering that I was not considered one of the best students in the humanities). Most of the teachers left a good impression of themselves. Of course, I had some troubles with almost all of them (though more with their subjects rather than with the teachers personally), but now it's probably long forgotten trivia, and only pleasant impressions of my years at the gymnasium remain.
I graduated in 2005, I studied in “b” class. Now I study at ChDTU on a specialty “Project Management” (Project Management). I am engaged in vocal, I sing in a rock band local (by the way, sang at the graduation of 2009 bon jovi - always), I do not know if you were present))). That's how it is in brief about myself)
Anna Vagramova (Belous)
1984 graduate
My education at SSH No. 1 was through washing and rolling in raucous Komsomol meetings, fighting the zadovil povidinka. I was constantly being nurtured and worked through!
As a result, it turned out: it's okay, you can live, although in Canada.
Fizkult hello to all our gymnasium students and their mentors from Olympic Vancouver!
The school has hardened my character, taught me to understand people and instilled a wonderful habit of finding only the most pleasant things in the most unpredictable situations.
I send you my warmest wishes, my dear teachers: L. R., I. D., T. F., L. V., G. V., N. V. and N. M!
My first English teacher : Atbashyan Svetlana Mikhailovna
Favorite subject and teacher: Physical Education and Lev Rafailovich Kagan!
Unforgettable moment: After much persuasion, the district doctor finally signed a certificate that I am contraindicated to sing in the choir, hurray!
An example in everything: Nadezhda Vasilyevna Ananyeva
Friend for most of the questions : Galina Vasilievna Ivanova
Critic of my fashion research: Olga Grigorievna Tychkova.
Good food : Galya from the school canteen and cutlets for 10 kopecks.
Best friends: Yana Bobinskaya and Lena Gajala (thanks for the physics tips!).
Boyfriend of my dreams: A. S. (Yarik, sorry... )
Many thanks to: Oleg Fedorovich Padalko for letting me listen to and translate Pink Floyd lyrics and for secretly putting chocolates under my notebooks!
Iryna Vinnichenko, Canada
Graduated in 2006
I have always dreamed of continuing my education abroad.
When my dream came true and I had the opportunity to go to Canada, I was more than grateful to the First Gymnasium for my incredibly deep knowledge of English.
I was only 16 years old when I came to Canada.
I had to finish two more years of school before I could go to university, because the Canadian education system requires 12 years of schooling.
In my first days at school, all the teachers were very surprised by my high level of English.
But the most important thing was not the impression I made on the teachers, but how I felt.
I felt confident and comfortable in communicating with foreigners and natives.
And all this is thanks to the teachers of the First Gymnasium. They gave me knowledge that not only helped me in communication, but also in studying all other subjects.
Now I am studying at the University of Toronto and will be forever grateful to the First Gymnasium for such a great preparation.
I wish you further success, Irina Vinnichenko
Kateryna Viy, Switzerland
graduated in 2006
It so happened that after graduating from the First City Gymnasium, I went to the Czech Republic to continue my studies. At that time, I did not speak Czech, but my high level of English helped me to settle in quickly. Since Prague is an international city, most students there speak English, and my teachers were extremely surprised by my knowledge and pronunciation. I am infinitely grateful to my favorite school for the excellent training.
Now I am studying in Geneva, this is a multinational city, and the world English language unites us all. But I communicate not only in English, and I am immensely grateful for the knowledge of German I gained. I didn't know then that it would come in handy. Knowledge of languages is never superfluous, and now I know that for sure!
Best regards, Kateryna Vii.
Daria Ovcharova
graduated in 2006
After the final exams at the First City Gymnasium, I was faced with a choice: to go abroad or to continue my studies in Ukraine. Having a high level of English, I realized that the doors were open to many countries. After a long time of hesitation, I came to the conclusion that you don't have to run away from where you feel good. Therefore, I chose the best university in our country, the Kyiv Institute of International Relations, and thanks to my profound knowledge of a foreign language, I became a student there without any obstacles.
When I wrote my first test, I was immediately enrolled in the first group, where I am still studying today. Since my institute specializes in educating international students, special attention is paid to learning foreign languages. I want to say that the institute has a good opinion of our school and its graduates. However, it was not only my profound knowledge of English that came in handy. I chose French as my second foreign language, which I also studied at our school. I am immensely grateful to the teachers of the Ukrainian language, thanks to them I can communicate freely and translate complex texts and speeches into the literary language. In general, all the knowledge gained at the First City Gymnasium is a precious treasure.
Sincerely, Daria Ovcharova.
Oksana Eremeeva
graduated in 1999
Now I work as a senior lawyer in a law firm in Kyiv.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate my school on its 130th anniversary. I always remember the First City Gymnasium and my teachers with gratitude and warmth, and I feel proud to be one of its alumni. I owe the gymnasium not only for the thorough knowledge I gained, but also for the high standards of professionalism instilled in me, which I try to adhere to in everything I do. More importantly, we were taught to be individuals, to believe in ourselves, not to be afraid to set big goals and make every effort to achieve them. And this method really works.
I rejoice in the successes and achievements of our school's graduates, and I wish the First City Gymnasium further fruitful activity, improvement and prosperity, and many more graduations of smart, talented and self-sufficient students.
Anastasia Ivanenko
LLB (University of Malta), LLM (University of Sydney)
graduated in 2003
Six years ago, the last bell rang for me and my classmates. As I remember now, when I was thanking the teachers of my native gymnasium, I could not help but cry. I was very sad to realize that our school years had passed like a flash. Favorite lessons, fun breaks, and childhood pranks were in the past. Of course, no other school in the world can give me as much light and joy as the First City Gymnasium did. Because from these walls, I took away not only knowledge but also the experience of international communication. Here, I developed a sense of collectivism, humanism and patriotism.
Actually, without being overly pathetic, I can confidently say that it was at the First City Gymnasium that I was formed as a person. After all, I owe everything I've achieved to my teachers and head teachers. English teachers Tatiana Padalko, Oleh Padalko, Olga Vakulenko, and Halyna Ivanova helped me to master the English language at a high level. It is thanks to them that I have an excellent command of the foreign language, which allowed me to successfully complete my studies at two prestigious foreign universities, i.e. the University of Malta and the University of Sydney Law School (Australia).
The international connections of the gymnasium as a UNESCO Associated School have been invaluable in helping us to achieve a high level of knowledge. This made it possible to see the world, get acquainted with different education systems, and meet my peers from France, Belgium, the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, and the USA. That's why I, along with other students of the gymnasium, had the opportunity to freely communicate with foreigners of different status: politicians, lawyers, and journalists. Moreover, as a student at the University of Malta, I have repeatedly represented Malta at European forums and in the European Youth Parliament. And I feel proud that everyone there was surprised by my profound knowledge of five foreign languages. There is a well-known saying: “The more languages you know, the more times you are a man” is the motto of the First Gymnasium.
Of course, all of this would not have been possible without the active life position of the gymnasium administration. So, I would like to express my special gratitude to the principal of the gymnasium, Kateryna Mykolayivna Kyrylova. She devoted her entire life to her native school, students and teachers. Kateryna Mykolayivna is no longer with us, but her bright memory will always remain in our hearts.
In addition, our alma mater prepared us for an active social life. From the first grade, we were taught acting and public speaking. The school was full of social life: regular elections of the school president and parliament and the election of the school queen took place.
Of course, just a thorough knowledge of knowledge would not help to achieve success in school life without the participation of our students in Olympiads of both local and republican significance, where the First City Gymnasium has always been and is a leader. My victories in the French language competitions would not have been possible without the care of Inessa Pavlyuchenko. Thanks to her, I am fluent in the language of Voltaire and Moliere. While studying at the gymnasium, I repeatedly visited France and Belgium and had the opportunity to study at French-speaking colleges (College Emille Guillaumin, Ecole Notre Dame D'Arlon) and lyceum (Lycee Theodore de Banville).
I am very grateful to my history and law teacher Valerii Anatoliiovych Silenko. His ability to teach educational material in an interesting and informative way helped me choose my profession. Now, thanks to Valerii Anatoliiovych, I am a lawyer.
However, studying at the gymnasium was not limited to the study of compulsory subjects, but also contributed to the formation of the students' worldview, helped them to self-realize in various spheres of life.
Nadiia Ananieva, the deputy director of the gymnasium, created a unique group called “Ecology” in the gymnasium: its activists taught the city residents to take care of the environment and the improvement of Cherkasy by their own example. On my initiative, the group's activities went beyond the school and the environmental program. I headed the charitable activities of the gymnasium students. Our group organized targeted assistance to orphans, pensioners and veterans. During my stay at Ecology, my life principles and values were formed, for which I am immensely grateful to Nadezhda Vasilyevna. It was she who taught me to be active, not indifferent, and to achieve my goals in everything.
The teachers at the gymnasium also taught us to defend our point of view and fostered a sense of patriotism. Despite spending a lot of time abroad, I never forget that I am a Ukrainian. I am proud of this and am very grateful to my teacher of Ukrainian language, literature and Ukrainian studies, Liubov Vasylivna Hafinova, who instilled in me a love for my native language, land, Ukraine and people.
Anna and Vilen Kilchenko
Anna and Vilen Kilchenko2001 graduate
How quickly time flies... Almost 10 years have passed since we left the walls of our native gymnasium! But always with great love and warmth we remember our classmates and, of course, our wonderful teachers and school management.
The First Gymnasium is a special atmosphere of love, warmth and mutual respect between teachers and their students - an atmosphere of passion and search for new knowledge, giving students faith in their own strength and reason, faith in the future, the right and ability to freely express their worldview and not to be passive and indifferent to what is happening in society, to actively defend their position....
After graduating from school I entered Kyiv Variety Circus College at the faculty of pop vocal and, despite the fact that I didn't study English for almost a year, for the first time in the history of the college I took the first place at the city Olympiad among Kyiv colleges. And it once again proves, what high level of knowledge of English language the gymnasium gave me. Besides, in 2008 I graduated from the Master's program in Philology of English Language and Literature of Kyiv International University, where thanks to a good “foundation” it was easier for me to study than for my fellow students. Vilen is currently a 3rd year student of the conductor-chorus department of the Kiev Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Tchaikovsky. Both of us, due to our profession as singers, have to tour a lot. We have been to China, USA, Italy, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium, Poland, Holland and other countries. And we are happy that thanks to our excellent knowledge of languages we can freely communicate, sing and convey to people what we want to tell them.
Low bow from our family to all teachers and management of the First City Gymnasium of Cherkassy, and especially to our dear and beloved: Tkachenko Lyudmila Danilovna, Gafinova Lyubov Vasilyevna, Nazarko Natalia Grigoryevna, Silenko Valery Anatolievich, Khvorostantseva Natalia Vladimirovna, Klimenko Valentina Vladimirovna, of course, Ananyeva Nadezhda Vasilyevna, Kovalskaya Irina Konstantinovna, a glowing memory of Kirilova Ekaterina Nikolaevna. My brother and I are sincerely grateful to them that we received not only excellent knowledge, but also the feeling of a close-knit family, respect and our value.... Our teachers instilled in us a sense of patriotism and respect for the traditions of our country, they taught us kindness and humanity, the ability to be friends and love!
How can one forget all those contests, concerts, plays and other events in which my brother and I participated! And, of course, a great honor for me was the title of the Gymnasium Queen of the year 2000.
Dear and much respected staff of the First City Gymnasium!
We would like to congratulate you from all the children,
From all those who are studying and have studied before,
Today is our school's Jubilee!
And we want everyone to be proud of it!
That we always remember our friendly class
And all the teachers who taught us.
After all, our school teaches us life,
We learned the basics of all knowledge in it!
From all of us we bow down to you!
You all deserve the glory of the school!
We'll never forget your names,
You live in our hearts by right!
Gymnasium is 130 years old!
From the bottom of our hearts we congratulate you on your birthday!
For all of us there's no one more beloved than you -
Great mentor of learning!
We wish the school further prosperity, creative growth, good health to all teachers and children of the school, support from parents and city administration.
We are happy and proud to have studied at the First City Gymnasium and we hope that our school will also be proud of us - its graduates, because, as it seems to us, the best gift for the school is the knowledge and achievements of its students!
With respect and love,
Anya and Vilen Kilchenko
Elena Morrow (Belous)
Graduate of 1989
Dear students, teachers and administration of the gymnasium! I congratulate you all on such an important event in the life of the gymnasium - its 130th anniversary! I wish you creative successes, new ups and achievements, interesting events and cheerful life in the walls through which many hundreds of students have passed.
As a graduate of this educational institution in 1989, I can confidently say to all today's gymnasium students that the first city gymnasium is your foundation in life, your basis for future achievements. Stock up on the knowledge that your favorite teachers pass on to you, you will need it 10, 20, and 30 years later.
When I came to study at the then School No. 1, I did not know that learning three languages at once was unusual in our city. Many years later, when I opened a Russian and Ukrainian language school for immigrant children in the capital of California, I read a lot of literature and discovered that children's brains are capable of learning up to seven (!) languages simultaneously. Today's grammar school students are very fortunate that, thanks to the efforts of the administration and teachers, they have a very wide range of languages to learn. Every nation has a proverb or saying about the importance of knowing other languages, as it broadens a person's horizons and opens them to the perception of other cultures. “You live a new life for every new language you speak” is what they say in the Czech Republic. And in America they joke about their laziness: “What do you call a person who speaks three languages? - Trilingual. - What do you call a person who speaks two languages? - Bilingual. - So, what do you call a person who speaks only one language? - American.”
My memories of my school years are different: there were a lot of good and fun things, I met a lot of excellent, dedicated teachers. There were also difficult moments, boring activities, which I hope today's generation no longer has. I would especially like to thank my class teacher and math teacher Valentina Vladimirovna Klimova for her patience and gentleness. Our class was her “baptism of fire” and was not a gift at all. A few years ago I decided to sit at the desk again at the local college to continue my education, and I remembered Valentina Vladimirovna with gratitude more than once - the knowledge she laid down will always be with me. I would also like to thank Ananyeva Nadezhda Vasilyevna for the fact that she did not give us any indulgences in learning English. I always went to her lessons with pleasure, they were full of energy and mind-blowingly complex articles from Moscow News. One of the achievements in my life is a certificate of professional translator in the United States, which I received in 2007, thanks to my teachers at the First City Gymnasium.
And in conclusion, apart from the knowledge and skills acquired at school, each of us has received another invaluable gift - friends. Despite the fact that today we live on different continents and in many different countries, we always find time to communicate, share our joys and sorrows, congratulate each other on our achievements and ask for help from each other. I hope that today's students have and will have strong friendship with their classmates and teachers. A loyal friend is the greatest treasure!
V. F. Velivchenko,
D. in Philology, Associate Professor,
Head of the Department of English Philology
of the Educational and Research Institute of Foreign Languages
of Cherkasy National University
Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University, graduated in 1969,
Viktor Velivchenko
2002 graduate.
MY SCHOOL
The First City Gymnasium of Cherkasy (formerly the First School) has always been the first, which is reflected in its name for a reason. From the very beginning of its existence, my school stood out from the rest in terms of its appearance, its teaching staff, its students, who always did well, and the unique joyful, businesslike, creative and educational atmosphere that united teachers and students into one strong school team.
For quite a long time, the school was located on a high Dnipro cliff, in an old three-story building with a high ceiling, large windows, and a wide staircase that started at the front door and led smoothly up to the third floor (now this somewhat rebuilt building houses a music college). Along the staircase were portraits of the school's prominent graduates, its pride, which the school was proud of and which it joyfully showed to everyone who climbed the stairs, and above all to us, its students, so that we would know them, so that we would understand where we were studying, what desks we were sitting at, what teachers we were listening to, so that we would know that we could become as famous as they were.
At that time, there were no computers or TVs in the classrooms, just old wooden desks, a simple teacher's desk, and a plain brown blackboard nailed to the wall in front of the desks. And from the walls, we were looking at the intelligent eyes of famous people - mathematicians, physicists, biologists, philosophers, writers ... We had memorized their names since junior high school, when, having learned to read, we would run upstairs during recess to look into the classroom of high school students who seemed so serious and adult, exactly what we wanted to be, because we wanted to grow up as quickly as possible.
The production workshops and gymnasium were located in other buildings next to the school. So we had to leave the school and run to another building for labor and physical education classes. Oh, how fast and easy we ran then! And how joyfully we laughed! During breaks, everyone - both older and younger - would fly out to the schoolyard. And everything began to move: every piece of the small schoolyard came to life and lived its own life. They played lapta, kvach, hopscotch, jumped rope, and the older ones managed to play volleyball. And no one bothered anyone, no one annoyed anyone.
And the school cafeteria! How can we forget how we used to rush in there to have a quick meal? It was a small room that could not accommodate everyone, because everyone wanted to eat at the first big break so that they could run around in the yard for the rest. And then a plan was developed and implemented by the whole class. When the majority of the class ran into the cafeteria, the boys would make a “maloo pile” near the door: five minutes was enough to quickly buy food, and when the rest of the students broke through the “pile,” we were already eating.
It is clear that the joy of learning at school did not arise by itself. This joy embodied the result of the dedicated work of teachers. A teacher of the First School is not just a job title, it is a title, the highest title of a school teacher. The teachers of the First School have always been the best. We imitated them in everything, listened to their advice, won their praise, or just a smile. We had so much fun in their classes! Each teacher was a unique personality, so we knew them all well, even those who did not teach in our class. My teachers, I bow low to you for the knowledge you gave me, for the piece of your heart that you left with me forever, Halyna Hryhorivna Yaskevych (first teacher), Olga Oleksiivna Gordeeva (English), Mina Israelovna Seltzer (mathematics), Anna Romanivna Demianchuk (physics), Lev Rafailovich Kagan and Ida Danilovna Varaksina (physical education), Vera Semenovna Pelekh (biology), Anna Petrovna Manuilova (Russian language and literature), Ivan Mitrofanovich Balanovsky (Chemistry), Ekaterina Ivanovna Korzh (Geography), Alexandra Alexandrovna Golik (Ukrainian Language and Literature), Joseph Naumovich Leibenzon (Drawing), Ivan Fedosievich Leleka, as well as Vera Yakovlevna Dashevskaya (Russian Language and Literature), Valentina Andreevna Yakuba and Olga Grigorievna Tychkova (English), Vera Ivanovna Krot (History), and others.
The best traditions of the First School are being successfully continued today, but in a different building and with a different teaching staff. The First School became the First City Gymnasium, gained associate membership in UNESCO, established itself as the only multilingual gymnasium in Ukraine, and established friendly partnerships with dozens of schools around the world. The number of students and teachers has grown significantly, the number of subjects has increased significantly, the school's technical equipment has grown incomparably, and instead of a small school library, the gymnasium now has thousands of books in different languages. The main thing has not changed - the high professional level of teachers, the aspiration of students to get a quality education and the unique atmosphere formulated as the Gymnasium Code:
Believe in yourself and learn! Have a sense of dignity!
Be yourself! We value each of you!
Be self-taught, don't wait for life to teach you!
Indifference is much more harmful than the inability to do something!
Draw strength in yourself! Be creative!
Focus on the good things that happened during the day!
Be proud of your gymnasium, it is special, just like you!
I also brought my son to my school, for whom it has always been the First City Gymnasium, his favorite school, where he came as a little boy and graduated as a cheerful and confident young man who was awarded a medal for his studies.
Neither my son nor I have broken ties with our home school: I teach students who graduated from the First City Gymnasium, and many of them return to the gymnasium as teachers. My son, who is actively involved in the public life of Cherkasy, is one of the founders and project coordinator of the EuroClub at the First City Gymnasium. As the director of the Center for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at Bohdan Khmelnytsky Cherkasy National University, he provides informational and organizational assistance in covering the issues of the European and Euro-Atlantic vector of Ukraine's foreign policy.
Congratulating my native school on its 130th anniversary, I wish it to remain the first in everything and always, to welcome its students and to nurture them into educated and well-mannered young people, confident and ready for high achievements.
Natalia Ereskovska (Trubnikova)
Graduated in 1997
The golden period of my life
I still remember, as if it were yesterday, the enthusiastic teachers who saw my exciting future. They believed in me and that I could achieve any goal I set for myself. They did everything they could to make sure that I achieved my best and never gave up. I miss that mentoring and supportive atmosphere.
Every teacher at the Gymnasium was exceptional, gifted and very hardworking, and I aspired to be like them. Their thoroughness and commitment to excellence at every stage of my education was amazing. At the Gymnasium, I deepened my love for the process of learning and artistic performance, which has accompanied me throughout my life.
Having fallen in love with the arts, I continued to sing and even dance during my time at university. Every year I sang at the international university festival. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, I also had the honor of singing Ukrainian songs, dancing Hopak and playing the flute. I still dream of owning my own recording studio where I can record new songs and create inspiring music videos. However, I realize that there is a time and place for everything. One of the most important lessons learned from the Gymnasium is that we should never stop dreaming and striving to achieve our dreams.
Many years ago, I shared the same dream as many other young people - to study abroad. Thanks to the efforts of Ms. Ananieva, the gymnasium has established countless connections with many schools and organizations abroad, which has opened up so many opportunities for students! It was through one of these programs, ACCELS, that I went to study in the United States, which changed my life forever. Some people think that it may not be good for Ukraine when students leave the country, but many of them build bridges between Ukraine and the United States while abroad.
For example, while studying and working in the U.S., Ukrainian students, myself included, have countless opportunities to promote a positive image of Ukraine through their daily interactions with Americans and people from other countries. And this is done on many levels. I am confident that the students of the Gymnasium, especially those who studied Ukrainian language and literature with Ms. Manuikina and Ms. Hafinova, will always carry Ukrainian culture in their hearts wherever they go. I can still feel the echoes of their great love and respect for the Ukrainian language and culture. When such love burns in your heart, you want to share it with others. My desire to help Ukraine led me not only to international festivals, but also to a number of organizations,
where I used my knowledge and skills to improve relations between Ukraine and the United States. For example, I helped the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council. Since I started working at the International Monetary Fund, I have to remain neutral, but I still love to share Ukrainian culture through music and singing.
It's been 12 years since I graduated, but my best memories of the gymnasium remain. I will always be grateful to Mr. Silenko and Ms. Tkachenko for teaching me to broaden my mind and seek knowledge beyond the curriculum. I will also always remember Ms. Ananieva's example of perseverance and excellence in all endeavors. Her absolute dedication to the Gymnasium and its students is exceptional and truly amazing. The students of the Gymnasium are very fortunate and I hope that there will be more schools like this in Ukraine and in the United States with such leaders. I sincerely wish the Gymnasium to become a model of educational quality not only in Ukraine, but also on a global level.
Nepochatenko Oksana
graduated in 1988
Everyone divides their life into significant milestones. Everyone has their own important moments, but there is no one who does not remember their school years.
Personally, I was very lucky - I remember my school years with warmth in my heart. My father, Anatolii Nepochatenko, graduated from the First City Gymnasium, when it was still located in the premises of the current music school. In 1988, I graduated from the gymnasium, and now my daughter is studying here. Not only the school, but also the teachers have become a common bond for our family. My father's and my favorite teachers were physical education teacher Ida Danilovna and primary school teacher Maria Vasylivna. I hope that my daughter's favorite teacher will be my English teacher Nadiia Ananieva.
So, a gymnasium is not just walls, it is people who fill it with life. The graduation of 1988 was not quite usual. We had only one graduating class, but we were envied because we had the strongest teaching staff at that time. Anyone who graduated from school in the 70s and 90s will definitely agree with me.
So let me turn to personalities:
- Alla Litovska is a math teacher. She is an intelligent and extremely elegant woman. Thanks to her, we learned not only how to do math and think logically, but also how to understand fashion and true style.
- Dashevska Vira Yakivna is a teacher of Russian language and literature. An example of true intelligence. We could listen to her stories for hours, and looking at her, we were mentally transported back to pre-revolutionary times to musical and literary evenings.
- Nadiia Ananieva is an English teacher. She has always enjoyed great authority. A lot of ideas, boundless knowledge and endless enthusiasm. A true specialist. Thanks to her, I easily entered the Faculty of Foreign Languages.
- Ida Varaksina is a physical education teacher. My special thanks to her. She is a very sensitive person. Having a congenital heart defect, I had every reason not to attend her classes, but I couldn't. She instilled in me a love of sports, giving me the opportunity to choose my own workload. I grew up in my teens and now feel like a complete person. When we graduated from school, Ida Danilovna was already of retirement age, but it was hard to find so much energy, enthusiasm and youthfulness of soul.
- Maria Vasylivna Dyachenko was the first teacher. She had special responsibilities: to instill a love of knowledge and to teach you to work, no matter what you do. She had a great sense of humor. I often remember her words at parent-teacher conferences:” Dear parents! When the doorbell rings, don't say, “Who the hell is it,” because it could be me.”
- Mykhailo Shemshur is a physics teacher. He is one of the few men in the teaching staff who is infinitely in love with his work. His laboratory work has always been of particular interest to us.
- Dittert Georgii Vasylovych was a teacher of labor training for boys. Our future husbands praised him every day. I am sure that most of their economic and labor skills were acquired in Georgiy's classes.
- Andrii Hnidash is a history teacher. He appeared in our lives at the end of the educational process - just in time. He taught us to think for ourselves and to discuss important topics. It is a pity that we did not keep records of his catchphrases - most of them would be relevant today.
- Valentyna Savelyeva is a biology teacher. She managed to create the best subject room. I will never forget my first visit to it - stuffed birds, fish skeletons, herbaria. That's how my interest in science was born.
- Artur Prylutskyi is a teacher of military training. This course never aroused enthusiasm, especially among girls. But we felt real respect for the teacher - I have never met such a kind military man.
Now, when I bring my daughter to school, I feel the same warm and family atmosphere that is so inherent in the first city school, where everyone knows and respects each other, where there are no strange children. And the changes have been only for the better: more modern equipment, more foreign languages to learn, more trips for children abroad, more opportunities for children to self-govern.
I know where the fourth generation of our family will study.
Thank you, Always the first city gymnasium
Marina Panchenko
Graduated in 1997.
I remember my home school with gratitude, warmth and pride!
I am convinced that I owe my achievements in life to my gymnasium. The teachers of the gymnasium gave me the inspiration, knowledge and qualities that allowed me to first obtain a higher education at one of the best universities in the country - Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and then to continue my life in the national diplomatic field. The position of an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, a diplomat at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Arab Republic of Egypt, which I currently hold, is not least due to my gymnasium and its teachers. It's no secret that one of the main conditions for a successful career as a diplomat is fluency in foreign languages, which we were taught from the junior grades of the then Lenin School No. 1.
13 years have passed, but I am still proud to say that I studied at the best school in the city! Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to my teachers, namely Nadezhda Vasilyevna Ananieva, Lyudmila Danilovna Tkachenko, Victoria Pavlovna Tretyak, Valery Anatolyevich Silenko, Valentina Vladimirovna Klimova, Tatyana Fedorovna Karpenko, Lyubov Vasilyevna Gafinova, and Oleg Fedorovich Padalko for giving us, the students of the gymnasium, a win-win ticket to adulthood!
Therefore, on such an important date - the 130th anniversary - I would like to wish my native gymnasium and its staff further success and prosperity, and its students - interesting and happy school years!
Yulia Kurbaka
Graduated in 2000
Native Gymnasium,
It's hard to believe that 10 years have passed since graduation, and vivid memories of school life, teachers, lessons, and classmates are still flashing in my mind as if yesterday. The First City Gymnasium will forever remain in the hearts of its graduates, because it is not just an educational school, it is a school of life, it is an unforgettable childhood, it is a ticket to the most prestigious universities, a ticket to a better future. After such a school, you are not afraid to go into battle and conquer the heights. The First Gymnasium is not only about impeccable knowledge of languages, but above all about comprehensive personal development, high culture and a philosophy of success.
I am not afraid to say that the school trains real leaders. Many times at Taras Shevchenko University, where I studied, both the professors and the students themselves asked me where such deep and diverse knowledge came from, where the ability to think came from, where the thirst for development and excellence came from. I was proud to answer: “The first city gymnasium in Cherkasy!”
And the first among the first, of course, is made by teachers. Many thanks and kudos to the entire teaching staff. I would like to express my personal honor to Svitlana Kuzmivna Buts, class teacher, Valentina Sergiyivna Yakovleva, foreign literature teacher, and English teachers Galina Vasilievna Ivanova and Nina Anatoliyivna Ovcharova.
Congratulations on your anniversary!
Always remain the “best of the first schools”!