Yorktown High School’s junior class traveled to the Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria for a day of cultural exploration and hands-on learning Saturday, Oct. 21.
The Polish Heritage Center (PHC) at Panna Maria in Karnes County was established to preserve and celebrate the history, values, beliefs, customs, and traditions of the Polish settlers who founded the first and oldest permanent Polish settlement in the United States. The center’s mission is to keep that legacy vibrant and relevant for future generations while inspiring, engaging, and educating visitors.
During their visit, students spent several hours immersed in the rich history of the Polish community. They began with a short introductory film about the center’s origins before dividing into two groups to tour the first Polish Catholic Church and the first Polish Catholic School in the nation. The day’s activities also included a scavenger hunt through the museum exhibits and a craft session where students learned about traditional Polish Easter eggs, known as pisanki, and created their own colorful designs.
Many students expressed how meaningful the experience was. Junior Rylie Krueger shared, “It was very interesting because I got to learn about my family’s
Photo by Valton Acree My dad’s family is from Panna Maria, and visiting there connected it all together.” Classmate Christian Gips described the experience as “walking into a time capsule, where every item tells a story of faith.” Another student, Claire Person, added, “I enjoyed learning about my Polish heritage and seeing a stained-glass window from my church, Holy Cross.” Weston Guida said, “I thought it was very interesting, since I have a personal connection to the center. I enjoyed learning about Bishop Yanta and my other ancestors.”
Teachers Kasey Hoyer and Laura Jordan accompanied the students on the trip. This marks the second year Yorktown High School has brought its junior class to the Polish Heritage Center. The school also plans to extend the opportunity to seventh graders later this school year.
