# UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: 2005 Chervona Kalyna Ball introduces eight debutantes (03/13/05)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

2005 Chervona Kalyna Ball introduces eight debutantes

by Oksana Kuzyszyn

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - At the 2005 Chervona Kalyna Ball at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, N.J. on January 29, eight young debutantes stepped out to the sounds of the Tempo and Luna orchestras and formally started their social life in presence of guests, friends and families.

The event was also very special due to the Orange Revolution in Ukraine and the successful election of Viktor Yushchenko as the new democratic president.

The chairman of the ball organizing committee, Ihor Sochan, greeted guests, noting especially the presence of observers who had recently returned from the election in Ukraine. He stated that we all are living in an unusually joyous time because our nation, led by President Yushchenko on the maidan in Kyiv, has gained full liberty - for which we have been fighting for centuries.

As a sign of union with the freedom fighters and all the people in Ukraine, the orchestra members and guests sang the Ukrainian national anthem.

Marta and Orest Kebalo then started the presentation of the debutantes and their escorts, as they have done for 20 years. They also mentioned that this year's ball was so much more special because we are celebrating our new freedom and democracy.

The Sichovi Striltsi combatants started the ball in Lviv back in 1921. After the second world war, the tradition continued, in the U.S. beginning in 1956.

Mr. and Mrs. Kebalo likened today's young people in Ukraine to those students who sacrificed their lives for freedom in the battle of Kruty on January 29, 1918. Today's young generation made its stand on Kyiv's maidan, knowing the danger they faced.

Ukraine's new president has united all in one free democratic Ukraine with a great future as a full-fledged member of European community, the masters of ceremonies noted.

After the presentation of the debutantes, Mr. Sochan expressed his gratitude to all members of the committee and, together with Vice-Chairman Yaroslaw Stawnychy, presented flowers to Mrs. Kebalo, Anna Bohachevsky-Lonkevych (choreography) Olha Stawnychy (flowers) and Maria Sochan-Tymyc (program and tableau).

The last page in this year's orange program was dedicated to the late but unforgettable Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky, who for many years arranged the choreography for the debutantes, for her contribution in raising new generations of Ukrainian dancers. Pani Roma, as she was known, managed to instill in the hearts of her students the love for Ukrainian folk dance. All enjoyed watching and admiring the "Kolomyika" performed enthusiastically by debutantes and other students of Pani Roma, that lasted more than half an hour.

Mr. Sochan also introduced the guests of honor: Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Nations Valeriy Kuchynsky, Consul General of Ukraine in New York Serhiy Pohoreltzev and the president of the Ukrainian World Congress, Askold Lozynskyj, their spouses.

Mr. Lozynskyj in his short address acknowledged the value of our youth organizations, where young people have the opportunity to learn about their heritage and participate in cultural and political events. He mentioned cultural institutions like Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky's dance studio and . Lydia Krushelnytsky's drama studio, both of whom brought up generations of Ukrainian youths. Due to this educational chain, many of Ukrainians traveled from the U.S. to Ukraine to participate in the presidential election as observers. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine, Mr. Lozynskyj noted, proved that "Together we are many, and we cannot defeated."

Before dinner, Father Bernard Panchuk of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in New York conducted a prayer and blessed the food. He also mentioned that the Chervona Kalyna fraternity of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization continues the traditions initiated in Ukraine.

After dinner, the head of the Chervona Kalyna fraternity, Ihor Dekajlo, commended Mr. Sochan for his long years of dedicated work as chairman of the ball organizing committee.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of this grand debutante ball and the Chervona Kalyna Ball will be held on February 25, 2006, at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, N.J.

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