May 2012

Stanislav Nedzelskyi came to America from the Ukraine at the age of two. When he was four, Stanislav's mother began to teach him simple mathematics and to recite Russian poetry. At five, his father taught him to play the strategic game of chess, a skill he now uses to solve physics equations. This week he graduates with the honor of being his class' salutatorian at the age of sixteen. In the fall he will attend Syracuse University to study in their architecture program ranked second in the nation. He was accepted to the number one program at Cornell University, but chose to attend Syracuse where he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship.

Nedzelskyi says he also chose this university because it emulates Coram Deo's small classrooms, discussion-based instruction, close student-teacher interactions, and "everything we do here that brings the student body together." He has studied at CDA since sixth grade and believes that this school is especially great in that it "allows us to stress glorifying God by education rather than only studying for college or for our future." He also appreciates the freedom CDA gave him to pursue personal service projects, to be home with his family speaking their native tongue, and to concentrate on his art. As he says, Coram Deo Academy gives its students the opportunity to "study beyond the average, but do even more on their off time."

He attributes many different sources of support to his success thus far - his family, his teachers, and his Lord. "I don't know where I would be without Him." He is most grateful to the whole of Coram Deo for giving him his writing abilities, his artistic skills, and his faith.

It is fair to surmise that these supports and skills will sustain him in his future successes as well.

His commencement speech can be viewed here.