Kacper is an all-star student, with over a 4.0 GPA, nearly 150 hours of volunteer service, and 24 cultural presentations under his belt. He participated in World Link’s Kindness Cookies Project five times, donating over 400 American treats and Polish pierniczki to nursing homes, the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM), and retail workers. Kacper was selected as one of two student speakers for his high school’s graduation ceremony this spring. He ended 2021 teaching his American friends how to make pierogies and sharing Polish New Year’s traditions.
Kacper spent much of December volunteering. He put together Christmas gifts for children at the library and continued to hand-deliver food and other necessities to people in need with UBFM and at an event for the Genesis Youth Foundation. Kacper also dedicated time to the East Village Holiday Promenade, Winter Farmer’s Market, Christkindl Market, the World Food and Musical Festival, Latino Heritage Festival, the Botanical Garden Halloween event, and the Trees and Lights Festival.
Kacper is a talented harpist and plays in multiple orchestras, had solos in the school Christmas concerts, and even plays small concerts for pre-school students. On a trip to Chicago, Kacper visited the Lyon & Healy Harp Factory where he was able to chat with harp makers and test out some new harps. After playing in the Concert Hall, the staff was so moved by his talent that they gave Kacper a Lyon & Healy Diamond right then and there, an award usually given as a competition prize! Kacper was also allowed to play famous French harpist Carlos Salzedo’s personal harp, a “sacred object in the harp industry.” Looking ahead, Kacper plans to compete in three contests and perform in more than five band and orchestra concerts, including performing a solo and duet.
At school, Kacper qualified for the State Debate Competition and the National Speech and Debate Association Speaking and Service Award. He also played on the varsity soccer team! Notably, his idea to start a “Trash Club,” an afterschool club for his peers to clean their campus for volunteer hours, will start next school year and he worked with his principal to get a ‘mask and glove only’ receptacle at the school entrance for proper recycling.
Finally, Kacper and his host dad have built an incredible bond. “We share a love of classical music and are huge nerds in the sense of watching films.” Right now, they’re going through a Star Wars era! They spend a lot of time together and love to go for walks, chat about movies and TV, and attend classical music concerts and school plays. Kacper says he has the best host family in the world and reflects on how grateful he is to be with them. “I’m thankful for the support, kindness, warmth, and care I’m receiving every day and appreciate every moment spent with [them].”
Congratulations, Kacper!
