NATION AND WORLD
University Dally Kansan, April 9, 1984
Page 1
Teen boy has asked to stay here
CHICAGO — To all appearances, he is the typical American teen. At 16, he likes to eat fast food and go out with girls, and has an inordinate interest in four-wheeled vehicles and their operation.
But Walter Polovach's life is totally different from what it once was. Four years ago he ran away from his parents and came back with them to the Soviet Union.
Today's activities are "almost a 360 degree turn" from life in the Ukraine, Walter said in a rare interview. "The life is more free — you can speak out
... You can do anything you want — almost.
"I feel great about being here -better every day. I never have any second thoughts," he said.
Walter describes himself as 'just another person walking down the stairs'
His life was anything but normal when he and his older sister, Natalie, died.
Several months into their visit, the Polovchok, who had not given up their Soviet citizenship, decided to return to their native Ukraine.
Michael and Anna Polovach and their children arrived in Chicago in early 1980. Polovach, who had been a took the job as a tutor, as did his wife.
A juvenile court judge declared Walter a ward of the state and removed him from his parents' custody. From the outset, the parents conceded that Natalie, then 17, was old enough to take up her own mind about where to live.
greement became an international incident. Walter was at the center of legal battles that pitted parents against children.
But Walters, they argued, was still too young to make such a major decision on his own. The parents bitterly objected to what he viewed as a family affair.
Natalie and Walter had other ideas. The two ran away from their parents with their cousin, requesting political asylum.
What started as a family disa-
"Who is the government to take away my child?" Polovchak said at the time. "It is against the law and against the Constitution."
The Soviets said Walter had been "brainwashed." The United States
accused the Soviets of mounting a propaganda campaign on the parents' behalf.
Upon his return to the Soviet Union, Walter's father was quoted by the news agency Tass as saying Walter had been drugged and did not know what he was saying when he went against his parents' wishes.
Mrs. Polovchak said Walter had been promised a 'golden mountain of gifts' from the club.
The legal issues are still winding way through the federal court system yet.
Life has taken on a steadier pace for Walter and Natalie, who live with their cousin in a quiet neighborhood on the west coast of many Eastern European ethnic groups.
Walter is a freshman at Steinmitz High School. Natalie, who attends
Wright Junior College, is aspiring to foodservice management.
Natalie said her decision to leave her parents would have been more difficult had she been closer to them, but that she was not. He had been spent with her grandmother.
"They made their decision to go back to the Soviet Union — 1 made mine to stay."
would never go back there now.
I'm feeling like the United States is
myself.
Walter's lawyer, Julian Kulas, said, "There is no indication at all he wants to go back." He has blended into the crowd perfectly. He likes fast food and cars.
While Walter said he felt more like an American every day, one task of acculturation remains — United States citizenship.
Class of 1984...
"WE PROMISE TO KEEP IN TOUCH"
Joining the KU Alumni Association at the Senior discount rate of $14 guarantees it!
It also gives you these benefits:
- address information to keep track of friends and classmates
- use of the beautiful Adams Alumni Center
- eligibility for membership in the Alumni Center's "Learned Club"
- subscription to the award winning Kansas Alumni publications
- invitations to alumni events in your area
- eligibility for group life insurance
- discount tickets for select home football games
SENIOR CLASS COOKOUT & OPEN HOUSE
WED., APRIL 11
5:30 p.m.
Alumni Center
864-4760
Check your mail for more details or call the Alumni Center
Rent it. Call the Kansan.
Faculty, Doctorate, Law Master's, Bachelor's:
ORDER NOW Cap & Gowns (and/or hoods)
Kansas Union Main Lobby—Booth #1
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily Mon.-Fri. Deadline for orders: Fri., April 20, 1984
WELLNESS WEEK '84 April 14-19 WHOLE PERSON
WELLNESS
"for the health of it"
Week's activities listed in brochures distributed in KU Residence Halls Kick Off Event: RUN . . . For the Health of it! Sat., April 14th 9 a.m. Registration materials available in 123 Strong Hall. Sponsored by: Residential Programs Lifestyles Committee and KU Wellness Center Publicity by: Association of University Residence Halls
711 W. 23rd
Malls Shopping
* Center
Visa Mon.-Thurs. 10-8:30
Mastercard Fri.-Sat. 10-6
Carousel Charge Sunday 1-5