UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Washington association hosts Malanka/debutante ball

by Chrystia Shashkewych-Oryshkevych

WASHINGTON - At the traditional Malanka, or New Year's Eve debutante ball, three debutantes were introduced to the Washington Ukrainian American community before an audience of 300 guests.

The January 11 Malanka was hosted by the Ukrainian Association of the Washington Metropolitan Area ("Obiednannia") in the Grand Ballroom of the Georgetown University Conference Center.

After a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception, Sophika Nakonechny-Smith, co-president of the association, welcomed everyone. She introduced the honored guests: Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Kostyantyn Gryshchenko and his wife, Natalya. Ambassador Gryshchenko greeted all present and wished joy to Ukrainians everywhere, faith in the future, and much love to Ukraine, which gave us all life.

Ms. Nakonechny-Smith also introduced and thanked the Obiednannia executive board responsible for planning this event: Halyna Breslawec (co-president), Irene Kost (secretary), John Kun (treasurer), Richard Smith (marketing consultant), and Oleh and Slavko Voloshin (members of the board).

After concluding her opening remarks, Ms. Nakonechny-Smith introduced the masters of ceremonies for the debutante presentation: Chrystia Shashkewych-Oryshkevych and Yaromyr Oryshkevych. The presentation included a very touching moment that each debutante and her family will no doubt treasure as a wonderful remembrance for a lifetime.

The three debutantes and their escorts were: Nadia Mostovych with Roman Shapoval, Anya Sira with Michael Kindrat-Pratt, and Stefanie Nakoneczny with Andres Garcia.

The dinner began with an invocation delivered by the Rev. Volodymyr Steliac, pastor of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring, Md. After the festive dinner, guests enjoyed dancing to the superb accompaniment of the Veseli Chasy (Good Times) orchestra from Chicago.

Everyone welcomed the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight and continued to enjoy the festivities of the grand evening.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 30, 2003, No. 13, Vol. LXXI

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