On Friday, June 16, 2023, a nice celebration took place in the Centrál restaurant in Tisovec - the promotion of the book A Mosaic of Memories from the Miracle School. The book is the final product of the EGT Memory Project, which ran from 2020-2022. It is a collective work of people who, in any way, found themselves in the orbit of the school between 1992 and 2022, contributed to its operation, functioning and added their own stamp to its uniqueness.
Included in the book are the memories of the first principal of the school, Helena Pašiaková, about her 25 years of work; the history of school companies in the Applied Economics program (which is sponsored by the non-profit organization Junior Achievement), described in detail by the teacher Ladislav Čajko and supplemented by the memories of students who worked in the companies. There are many memories of American volunteers who participated in the reconstruction of the school building and later helped the school, memories of Slovak and foreign teachers, non-teaching staff of the school, parents and friends of the school and students. A total of 151 authors contributed to the book.
Each memory, or "piece of the mosaic", whether larger or smaller, breathes its uniqueness and in its mutual connection provides a complete picture and bears witness to the life and atmosphere of this exceptional school, which made miracles in the lives of many people. It is a valuable contribution to the history of our Lutheran education.
The book was presented by Helena Pašiaková during the reception. She thanked the contributors, sponsors and everyone who helped contribute to the book or the school itself. In addition to verbal thanks, a musical thanks, in the form of a violin etude, was performed by Hanka Bábelová, a student of the Tisovec Elementary Art School. In a totally different genre, Ladislav Čajko recalled one of the many events held by school companies with a mini-rendition of a "rap" he'd created decades earlier.
Janka Miháliková, a pupil of the school's first graduating class who is now pastor of Rimavské Brezovo Lutheran Church, member of the ECAV General Presbytery, also blessed the event with a spiritual reflection based on Philippians 1:1-5, and a prayer.
EGT American teacher Clara Rich sang a song, "Be Thou My Vision" in both English and Slovak, accompanied by Hanka Bábelová on the violin. It was a very emotional moment that highlighted the dignity of this event.
School principal Miroslava Štefániková and vice principal Jaroslava Szczyrbová thanked Helena Pašiaková and Ladislav Čajko for their work on the book. Vratko Strmeň, a pupil and later a teacher at EGT, now an entrepreneur and one of the sponsors of the publication, read a part of his contribution in which he says how important it is to have a good school in a small town.
The event was attended by guests including Ján Vengrín, the mayor of Tisovec, Petra Čipková, the head of the town office, sponsors, people who stood at the birth of the school and helped it, Eva Manicová, former Mayor Peter Mináč, architect Ondrej Mrlian, Jaroslav Hecko, prof. Milan Kriška and his wife, former CEO of CSM factory František Alberty.
Also present were Ukrainian friends, former and present employees and teachers, and alumni of the school who are co-authors of the publication.
After the official part, guests enjoyed a reception in a pleasant atmosphere of reminiscence and joy from the meeting.
The book was published by the Tranoscius Publishing House and was printed by Tlačiarne Banská Bystrica in an edition of 750 copies. The book will be available for purchase in Tranoscius bookstores, in the pharmacy and in the bookstore in Tisovec. Another option to buy the book is listed on the Facebook page of the EGT Alumni Association - EGT Alumni.
Text: -egt-
Translated by: Clara Rich
Foto: -egt-