UNA resort holds 47th annual Miss Soyuzivka competition

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The weekend of August 15-17 saw the crowning of a new Miss Soyuzivka.

Friday evening started out with Soyuzivka's traditional Odessa Night Seafood Buffet on the Veselka Patio. Later in the evening patrons were entertained by Hryhoryj Hrynovets and Roman Tsymbala.

The next day, a beautiful Saturday, brought perfect weather, and guests at the Ukrainian National Association's resort enjoyed being outside, hiking, swimming or just lounging around on the Veselka patio. Everyone's spirits were high, until a passing rain shower put a damper on things.

As the day progressed, Miss Soyuzivka contest coordinator Stephanie Hawryluk received applications from some beautiful young ladies. By the start of the judging session there was one applicant, but the group soon grew to five.

The judges had a difficult time reaching a decision, as all the applicants were very highly qualified and beautiful young ladies with Dean's List and/or National Honor Society credentials. After much deliberation, the numbers were accounted for and placed into a secret location until such time as the winners were announced.

During the deliberation period the Fata Morgana band played for the guests' enjoyment, while the students and counselors from the dance camp under the direction of Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky entertained everyone with a rousing Kolomyika.

The judges for this years' event were: Lydia Chopivsky-Benson, Miss Soyuzivka 1982; Bohdanka Puzyk, director of the Chemney camp at Soyuzivka; and Tanya Singura-Soltys, webmaster for Soyuzivka and a former employee at the resort.

Soon it was quarter to midnight and the Miss Soyuzivka's for the year 2003 were giving their farewell speeches - first Lydia Rajsz, followed by Michelle Odomirok.

Sonia Semanyszyn, Soyuzivka office administrator, proceeded to announce the winners:

• Second runner up - Lisa Migliorini, who received a free weekend stay at Soyuzivka.
  
  
• First runner up - Julianna Pedersen, who received a free week stay at Soyuzivka.
  
  
• And Miss Soyuzivka for 2004 (drum roll, please) - Dianna Shmerykowsky, who received a $300 stipend and a free week at Soyuzivka.

The management and staff of Soyuzivka and the UNA thanked all the young ladies for their participation, and the judges and Mrs. Hawryluk for their work in making the annual Miss Soyuzivka festivities a successful event.

The weekend was rounded out on Sunday with a performance by the Dumka Choir under the direction of Wasyl Hrechynsky.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, August 31, 2003, No. 35, Vol. LXXI

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