Witold Dzeilski, First Secretary from the Polish Embassy, will be visiting on Thursday for Europe day, an annual celebration of the formation of the European Union (EU).
Dzielski will discuss the history of the EU, Poland?s role in the EU and in the world and US ? EU relations. He will also address Poland?s perspective on more pressing topics, such as current EU involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Many students and teachers are hoping that Dzeilski will also discuss the recent death of Polish president Lech Kaczynski. Kaczyski perished in airplane crash over Smolensk, Russia on April 10, an event which many Poles are considering Poland?s worst disaster since World War II. 80 other Polish officials died in the crash with Kaczynski, including the army chief and central bank governor.
“It?s really heart-wrenching,” sophomore Carly Taylor said. “I feel terrible for all the Polish people, and I hope Dzeilski can shed some light as to how the Poles are coping with such a sudden and terrible loss. I can?t imagine how America would cope with losing President Obama the same way.”
History teacher Wanlace Yates helped organize Dzielski?s visit with a Washington-based EU delegation and encourages all students to attend the ambassador?s address. Yates believes the ambassador?s address will be of much benefit to students in all different history classes.
“Having this kind of opportunity is incredible,” Yates said. “Ambassadors and diplomatic officials offer direct perspectives and give feedback to pressing issues, something that you can?t get from reading a magazine or a newspaper.”
Dzeilski is the third diplomat to visit for EU day, following visits from Spanish and Estonian Ambassadors in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
“I remember both being excellent speakers who gave a lot of interesting insight on EU affairs,” history teacher Tom Brannan said. “I imagine Dzielski?s visit is going to be a great experience as well.”