UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: Chicago UMANA's 44th debutante ball is charity benefit (03/13/05)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Chicago UMANA's 44th debutante ball is charity benefit

by Maria Hrycelak

CHICAGO - The Illinois Chapter of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) hosted its 44th annual Charity Ball and Presentation of Debutantes on January 29 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago.

Rose-covered tables greeted the 500 guests in the Grand Ballroom. The entrance of the debutantes, their parents and escorts into the beautiful ballroom was impressive. Dr. George Kuritza, president of the Illinois Chapter of UMANA, presented the 13 debutantes to the community. Under the expert choreography of Roxana Dykyj-Pylypczak, an intricate and beautiful dance program materialized in the ballroom.

The debutantes in their flowing white gowns waltzed gracefully with their fathers and escorts. Dr. Kuritza then welcomed the debutantes, their parents, escorts and guests who came from all over the United States and Canada. Representing the proud parents, Ruta Ripecky and Luba Skubiak addressed the debutantes and wished them well in their future endeavors.

After dinner, more guests arrived and danced the night away to the music of the local Veseli Chasy-Good Times band, which is soon to retire. The debutante ball was held just days after the historic inauguration of Ukraine's newly elected president, making it a truly memorable occasion.

The 2005 Charity Ball will distribute proceeds to the Foundation of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America. A silent auction encouraged some spirited bidding for an autographed Klitschko boxing glove, as well as a beautiful basket donated by the 2005 debutantes. The basket, dubbed "Orange is the New Black," included over 15 Ukrainian CDs and memorabilia from the Orange Revolution

The organizing committee of the ball thanked Kathy Hrynewycz, Mila Special Events Florist and Selfreliance-Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union for their hard work and generous contribution to the event.

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