Sofia Parfomak’s grandmother was a refugee from Ukraine almost 80 years ago during World War II. The current war in Ukraine and the number of children refugees spurred Parfomak and some of her peers to organize a benefit concert last month.
With the sponsorship of Opera NOVA and Walker Chapel United Methodist Church in Arlington, several accomplished singers performed in an hourlong concert July 22 at Walker Chapel. The singers included three students from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington — Parfomak, Kate Stewart and Mary Claire Mae; Michelle Stein, from Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax; and Isabelle Schweiter, from Brooke Point High School in Stafford. Lorenzo Limarzi, from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, was the master of ceremonies, and Steve McBride, a parishioner of Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria, was the accompanist. The concert raised more than $4,000 for the cause.
Watch the concert
Go to uinspire.us/youths/.
