Alexandra and Dr. Joseph P. Kazickas supported the school’s work, took an interest in its achievements, and championed the Lithuanian language and culture. Today, the Foundation continues this tradition by supporting the school’s mission to preserve Lithuanian identity and nurture the Lithuanian language abroad. On

October 18, the school community gathered to celebrate a special milestone: its 20th anniversary. Neila Baumilienė, the school’s founder and KFF Executive Director in the U.S., and John Kazickas, the Foundation’s Secretary Treasurer, joined the celebration to congratulate the school community and spend this special day together. 

We invite you to read school Principal Renata Petrauskienė’s reflections on the celebration:

On October 18, the A. Kazickienė Lithuanian School held a sports celebration to mark its 20th anniversary.

On October 6, 2006, the school, which was honored to bear the name of Alexandra Kazickas, began its first academic year. Alexandra and Dr. Joseph P. Kazickas attended the school’s opening celebration and supported the school from its very beginning, taking an interest in its work and achievements. Following the passing of these esteemed philanthropists, the Kazickas Family Foundation has continued to support the school, allowing us to carry on our meaningful work.

Inspired by Ms. Alexandra and Dr. Joseph P. Kazickas’s love for Lithuania and the Lithuanian language, as well as Alexandra Kazickas’s active involvement in Lithuanian cultural life in the United States, the school community strives to continue this meaningful mission today. Dedicated teachers Ramunė Kurbanovienė, Jolanta Vilčinskienė, and Rita Klimavičienė, along with treasurer Daiva Matonienė, have been part of the school since its founding. They have since been joined by Irma Diržienė and Birutė Stukonytė.

It was a great honor to welcome John Kazickas to the AKML 20th-anniversary celebration, hear his memories of the late Ms. Alexandra Kazickas, and see him put his refereeing skills to the test during the sports relay races.

We were delighted to welcome the school’s founder, Neila Baumilienė, and Gintė Genender, who served as school director from 2017 to 2021, along with many parents of current and former students and former students themselves. Some former students returned with their own children, who are already students – or, we hope, future students – of the A. Kazickas Lithuanian School.

It was wonderful to see former students sharing memories and carefully exploring the photo gallery featuring the school’s most significant moments from the past twenty years.

The celebration culminated in sports relay races that brought together former and current members of the school community, as well as those who may join it in the future. As candles were blown out on the anniversary cake, we shared a wish that we hope will come true: “May the school continue to thrive for many years to come and welcome many more students.”