UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Washington association hosts Malanka/debutante ball

WASHINGTON - On January 12 three young ladies made their debut at the annual Malanka and debutante ball of the Ukrainian Association of Washington Metropolitan Area ("Obiednannia"). The event was held in the elegant Grand Ballroom of the West End Washington Marriott on 22nd Street Northwest in the nation's capital.

Sophia Nakonechny-Smith, the co-president of Obiednannia, welcomed everyone, including notable guests, Minister Counselor of the Ukrainian Embassy Volodymyr Yatsenkivsky and his wife, Olha. She also introduced her executive board: Halyna Breslawec (co-president), Irene Kost (secretary), John Kun (treasurer) and Richard E. Smith (marketing consultant).

Ms. Breslawec delivered opening remarks, noting that the goal of the association is to unite and network Ukrainians in Maryland, Virginia and Washington via functions such as the traditional Malanka. She then introduced the debutante coordinators: Chrystia Shashkewych-Oryshkevych and Yaromyr Oryshkevych.

After the parents of the debutantes were introduced, each debutante entered the ballroom and gave her mother a bouquet of flowers. The debutantes were then presented to the community along with their escorts during a promenade, followed by the first dance.

The Rev. Taras Lonchyna, pastor of Holy Trinity Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Md., gave the invocation. After dinner, music was provided by Veseli Chasy from Chicago. Debutantes and their escorts enjoyed an enchanting evening to be treasured for a long time.

A few announcements were made welcoming the New Year, and the debutante coordinators thanked all who attended this year's gala, and invited everyone to return in 2003 for the next ball.

- Chrystia Oryshkevych

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 24, 2002, No. 12, Vol. LXX

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