And Miss Soyuzivka 2006 is ... Ksenya Hentisz (10/09/05)

And Miss Soyuzivka 2006 is ... Ksenya Hentisz

by Bohdanka Puzyk

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The annual crowning of Miss Soyuzivka took place on August 13-14, in the presence of many Ukrainian youths who gathered to participate and celebrate this wonderful tradition at the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka estate.

This year there were seven candidates for the coveted title. Stephanie Hawryluk, the contest coordinator, had each contestant fill out an application and co-coordinated the interview process that began on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.

The judges for this year were Lydia Chopivsky-Benson, a former Miss Soyuzivka; Bohdanka Puzyk, co-coordinator and director of the Children's Day Camp; and Andrij Cybyk, artistic director of the Syzokryli dance ensemble.

Each of the candidates showed herself to be an exceptional young lady with poise and grace. Each not only excelled academically, but in terms of extensive social commitments as well. These young ladies, while being active in their Ukrainian community, also are busy ambassadors teaching and explaining to others the facts about Ukraine and its future in the international arena.

Olenka Stephania Bodnaruk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roman Bodnaruk of Brecksville, Ohio, is a member of UNA Branch 316. She is a senior at Brecksville-Broadview High School and a member of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization. Miss Bodnaruk is also an active member of her church choir along with the French Club, Photo Club, International Club, SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) and the HUDDLE role model. Her hobbies include playing the bandura and piano, along with participating in the Ukrainian dance ensemble Kashtan.

Sonya Borys, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Borys of Rochester, N.Y., is a member of UNA Branch 452. She is currently a student at St. John's University, where she is studying television and film production. Miss Borys is an active member of Plast, the Syzokryli and Mamai dance ensembles, and the Film and Television Club at the university. Her hobbies include playing the piano, music, painting and cooking. She was awarded St. John's University's Scholastic Excellence Scholarship, the Colleen Harrington Scholarship, the University of Rochester Humanities Award and the Mount Holyoke Book Award.

Natalia Belkairous, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ali Belkairous of Munster, Ind., is a member of UNA Branch 112. She graduated from Munster High School and will be a freshman at De Paul University this fall. While in high school Miss Belkairous was a member of Plast, captain of the varsity swim team, a member of the French Club and National Honor Society, and a National Merit Semi-finalist. Her hobbies include playing the violin and piano, and participating in the choir.

Ksenya Hentisz, daughter of Chryzanta and the late Roman Hentisz of Jersey City, N.J., is a member of UNA Branch 88. She is currently a sophomore at New York University, where she is studying international politics and history. Miss Hentisz is a member of Plast and its Verkhovynky sorority, and is active in the New York Plast branch as a youth counselor. She is a member of the Syzokryli dance ensemble and studies ballet with New York's Steps on Broadway. She is looking forward to joining the university's Ballroom Dance Club this semester. While in high school Miss Hentisz was a member of the New Jersey Ballet's Junior Company and participated in performances at New Jersey Performing Arts and the Papermill Playhouse, among other venues. Scholastically speaking, Miss Hentisz was on the high honors list all through high school and was in the Spanish Honor Society, and now is on the dean's list at NYU. She was awarded the General Studies Program Scholarship to attend New York University.

Natalia Lyseckyj, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Volodymyr Lyseckyj of Brooklyn, N.Y., is a member of UNA Branch 777. She will be a sophomore at John Jay College of criminal justice in New York City. Miss Lyseckyj would like to become an international lawyer. She is a member of the Chornobyl Project, Mock Trials and the Environmental Club. She enjoys playing volleyball, dancing and theater.

Alexandra Pichurko, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bohdan Pichurko of Troy, Mich., is a member of UNA Branch 175. She will be a senior at Cranbrook Kingswood High School, where she is on the swim team, belongs to the snowboard club and is on the yearbook staff. Miss Pichurko is also a member of Plast. Her hobbies include all sports, especially outdoor activities, weaving and embroidery.

Sophia Torielli, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Torielli, of Colonia, N.J., is a member of UNA Branch 450. She is currently a sophomore at Dickinson College, where she is pursuing international business, economics and Eastern European studies. Miss Torielli is a member of the international a cappella group, the debate team and mock trials. Her hobbies include ski racing, soccer, lacrosse, dodge ball and intramural floor hockey.

Unfortunately, only three young ladies could be winners, and they were announced in the following order:

The second runner-up, who received a free weekend at Soyuzivka, is Miss Borys.
The first runner up, who received a free week at Soyuzivka, is Miss Bodnaruk.
Miss Soyuzivka 2006, who was awarded a $300 cash prize and a free week at Soyuzivka, is Miss Hentisz.

At the dance, before the young ladies were crowned and the new Miss Soyuzivka had her traditional dance with the UNA president, Stefan Kaczaraj, a letter was read from the outgoing Miss Soyuzivka, Maya Woloshyn. As Miss Woloshyn was in Germany participating in World Youth Day, she could not be present and addressed a letter to "Dear Friends of Soyuzivka."

She wrote: "First of all, I would like to thank you for being here tonight. Thank you for showing your support for Soyuzivka, and for your interest in attending the tradition of the Miss Soyuzivka pageant. On that note, I apologize for my own absence. I am in Cologne, Germany, right now, volunteering at the World Youth Day.

"However, all year I have been looking forward to saying some words about Soyuzivka and its importance in keeping the Ukrainian community together and alive. We must always keep Soyuzivka in our hearts and minds as a place we know that we will always find Ukrainians. Especially important is to then pass this on to our children, because in this continually diverse world it becomes harder and harder to hold on to our roots. Soyuzivka is here to make that easier, as well as being a place to make wonderful memories and life long friends.

"I thank Soyuzivka for giving me the opportunity to represent it for a year, and I send my congratulations from Germany to the new Miss Soyuzivka."

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