WHIPPANY, N.J. – The Parent’s Association (Lanka Batkiv) of the Newark, N.J., branch of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization held its annual Plast Debutante Ball at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, N.J., on January 25. The debutante ball is a traditional event at which each debutante is formally presented to the community as a young lady.
Marta Sygida-Kowal and Orest Temnycky served as this year’s masters of ceremonies, and they formally opened the event by welcoming the debutantes, their families and guests. After being formally introduced, each debutante was welcomed as she was escorted through the center of the ballroom.
This year’s debutantes included young ladies from the Passaic, N.J., and Kerhonkson and Albany, N.Y., chapters, as well as a young lady from Lviv. They included: Daryna Behen, escorted by Darius Kulchyckyj; Valeria Drybushar, escorted by Michael Knysh; Adriana Hotsko, escorted by Roman Zharovsky; Vera Hrab, escorted by Gregory Gawdiak; Olena Hryvnak, escorted by Valentyn Boyko; Viktoria Kuz, escorted by Ihor Shkvarok; Kateryna Morhun, escorted by Ivan Soroka; and Sophia Myshchuk, escorted by Stephan Bilyk.
The debutantes in their flowing white gowns danced with their escorts to a choreographed arrangement by dancemaster Andrij Cybyk. Each debutante also joined her father in a special waltz.
Following dinner, more guests arrived and danced the night away to the music of Tempo and Philadelphia Funk Authority, including the traditional 30-minute “Kolomyika.”
The success of this memorable annual event was made possible by members of the organizing committee: Anya Tomko (chair), Alexandra Zawadiwsky, Natalia Bilash, Oksana Shyprykevych, Anna Kukurudza, Renata Hanchuk, Juliana Haluszczak and Ms. Kowal.
Next year’s debutante ball will take place at the Hanover Marriott on January 25, 2021.
A view of the dancing during the debutante ball.