UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Ukrainian American Youth Association presents debutantes

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - The 38th annual debutante ball sponsored by the Ukrainian American Youth Association took place on Saturday, February 9, at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains, N.Y. Twelve lovely debutantes were escorted and partook in the elegant evening.

The evening began with a poolside cocktail party where the attendees of the debutante ball mingled and socialized. The cocktail was followed by a banquet. Presiding over the evening were the masters of ceremony, Jaroslaw Palylyk and Lida Mykytyn, who had the honor of introducing the debutantes and their escorts, presenting the interests and accomplishments of the debutantes, and setting the stage for each debutante to be met by her parents and be introduced to the Ukrainian society.

During the banquet, the debutantes and their escorts performed a quaint Viennese waltz, choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot. They were greeted by the Rev. Bohdan Danylo of Stamford, Conn., who inspired the debutantes and their escorts with his warm wishes and blessings.

The banquet smoothly transitioned into the "zabava." The dance floor filled up quickly with many youths enjoying good music, romantic waltzes, an exciting kolomyika and lively rock and roll. The Zolota Bulava orchestra entertained the entire evening. But all good things must come to an end. It was time to part until the next event.

The ball is a special event for each debutante. It is a highlight in her SUM life, as well as a pleasant memory in her personal life. The Ball is also a joyous event for the parents of the debutantes as well as for SUM, the organization in which these debutantes grew up. Both the parents and SUM get to step back and realize the fruits of a Ukrainian upbringing and witness the transition of each debutante to an active, contributing member of the Ukrainian community.

The honored guests of the evening were the following debutantes: Ulana Blahy escorted by Michael Pawliwsky, Andrea Bybel escorted by Wolodymyr Yurcheniuk, Katrusia Wyrsta escorted by Danylo Pushchak, Lesia Harhaj escorted by David Odomirok, Anna Zarovniy escorted by Stephan Frytz, Tania Zajac escorted by Roman Iwaskiw, Olha Kryzhalkiw escorted by MaksymSalvator, Chrystyna Lesiuk escorted by Wolodymyr Wyrsta, Stephanie Pushka escorted by Matthew Wodzinsky, Roksolana Stets escorted by Hryhoriy Yasynsky, Christina Charuk escorted by Taras Czebiniak, and Oksana Czebiniak escorted by Stephan Ros.

- Lida Mykytyn

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

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