UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: Chervona Kalyna Ball continues a longstanding tradition (03/24/02)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Chervona Kalyna Ball continues a longstanding tradition

WHIPPANY, N.J. - The Chervona Kalyna Debutante Ball held on January 26 here at the Hanover Marriott Hotel introduced eight debutantes and their escorts to Ukrainian American society.

The debutantes this year were Annastasia I. Berezowsky with her escort, Adrian Wirt, Ariana C. Flis with Victor Sulzynsky, Katya J. Gaynor with Alexander Oryshkevych, Adrianna D. Hankewycz with Alex Knihnicky, Andrea S. Heimur with Maxim Artymyshyn, Andrea O. Kebalo with Michael Kindrat-Pratt, Laryssa A. Rybak with Vsevolod Makarenko and Deanna L. Stawnychy with Daniel Bojcun.

Before the presentation, Ihor Sochan, chairman of the Debutante Ball Committee, greeted everyone present, especially the honored guests: Consul General of Ukraine in New York Serhiy Pohoreltzev; the deputy to the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Volodymyr Jacenkiwskyj; deputy to the ambassador of Ukraine to the United Nations, Volodymyr Krochmal; and the military advisor of Ukraine to the United Nations, Col. Victor Hvozda.

Orest and Marta Kebalo were the hosts for the official ceremony. Each debutante was led by her father to her escort, which was followed by the first dance. The choreography of the debutantes' first dance was arranged by Ania Bohachevska-Lonkevych.

Before the banquet, the Rev. Bohdan Lukie, pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J., delivered the invocation, after which the debutantes were greeted by the Consul General Pohoreltzev.

Two bands, Tempo and Luna, entertained the guests throughout the evening.

A lot of preparation and hard work were put in months before the ball to make this festive affair successful. The Kalyna Committee consisted of Mr. Sochan (chairman), Jaroslaw Stawnychyj (assistant chairman), Bohdan Tytla (art work for the press), Olha Stawnychy (flowers), Ihor Dekajlo (mailing of invitations), and members Bohdan Mychajliw, Marko Nynka, Taras Lisowskyj and Roman Chubatyj.

Young adult members of the Chervona Kalyna Fraternity of Plast helped as ushers. The ballroom decorations, program layout and very attractive coasters (which guests took home as souvenirs), were done by Marijka Sochan-Tymyc of Montreal.

On the last page of the ball's program, which listed all debutantes with their photographs, was a reproduction of an invitation to the First Plast Ball, held on March 1, 1930, in the National Home of Stryi Ukraine. The organizers of this ball were members of the Chervona Kalyna Fraternity in Stryj. Thus, a tradition started 72 years ago continues here, so far from Ukraine.

- Oksana Kuzyszyn

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