CHICAGO – The American Ukrainian Youth Association (known by the Ukrainian acronym CYM), Mykola Pavlushkov Branch in Chicago. hosted its annual New Year’s ball, or Malanka, on January 14 at the Drury Lane Theater and Conference Center.
Guests arrived at 6 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the foyer of the Grand Ballroom. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the New Year and greeted each other throughout the hour.
Andrij Luczak Glubisz, master of ceremonies, opened the evening by welcoming and greeting over 700 guests, as well as encouraging the youth to be active and engaged members in the AUYA and to continue the work of their parents and grandparents.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 17 lovely debutantes from both the Chicago and Palatine branches of CYM. The presentation was choreographed and led by Adriana Karawan and Kateryna Dyakiv. Each debutante was introduced, receiving a traditional sash, and congratulated by Taras Drozd, president of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch; Myron Wasiunec, president of the Dmytro Vitovskyj Branch; and the youth program directors of each branch, Adriana Popowycz and Chrystya Pochtar-Eckheart.
The debutantes’ individual presentations ended with each of them greeting the guests with a deep and graceful bow as their parents looked on with pride.
Mr. Drozd greeted all of the guests and their families with warmest wishes for the coming New Year. Congratulating the debutantes, he wished them success as they embark on their path into adulthood.
Ms. Karawan continued with the presentation, calling upon the fathers to lead their daughters in a waltz, which was beautifully choreographed and ended with a sweet, loving kiss from the fathers. The mothers were then presented with a long-stemmed red rose as a thank you for all their love and support.
The spotlight then turned to the debutantes and their escorts. They entertained the guests with a wonderfully choreographed traditional waltz full of elaborate formations, turns, dips and bows. Their elegance, poise and beauty were appreciated with extended applause from their family, friends and guests.
Before dinner, the Very Rev. Oleh Kryvokulsky, pastor of Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Church, led everyone in prayer. After dinner, guests enjoyed the rest of the evening by dancing to the sounds of Klopit, a beloved Chicago-based band.
As midnight approached, New Year’s party favors were passed around as friends and acquaintances embraced each other, welcoming the New Year. Before the evening ended, the guests participated in the traditional “Kolomyika.”
Sincerest thanks and recognition are due to all those who helped make this lovely evening possible, particularly the Malanka committee: Kristin Chylak (chairperson), Ms. Karawan, Kateryna Dyakiv, Nadya Dudycz DiBartolo, Christina Ofisher, Nastia Lototska and Olena Vasilik.
Debutantes and escorts perform an intricate waltz.