PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On March 2, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) held its 55th annual debutante ball at the Sheraton hotel in Parsippany, N.J. This ball marked the debut for 19 young women, who were celebrated by over 1,000 guests, including family, friends and UAYA members.
The UAYA Debutante Ball, under the auspices of the National Executive Board, is a longstanding tradition among UAYA members of the Northeast. The event has its roots in European court custom and was adopted in the mid-20th century by Ukrainian American diaspora organizations. This year’s debutantes joined the ranks of nearly 800 young women who have taken part in this rite of passage over the past half century.
After a lively cocktail hour, guests were officially welcomed to the formal portion of the evening by member of the organizing committee Valentyna Yasinska, who also introduced the master and mistress of ceremonies, Peter Kolinsky and Adriana Krasniansky. Mr. Kolinsky is a member of the Hartford, Conn., branch of the UAYA, while Ms. Krasniansky is a member of the Cleveland branch and serves on the National Executive Board.
Each girl was introduced as she walked through the sparkling lights of the ballroom to greet her parents at the center of the dance floor. After embracing her parents, she traded her single rose for an elegant bouquet of flowers and was met by her escort. From there, she and her escort circled the perimeter of the dance floor as the emcees shared her academic accolades, hobbies and involvement in the UAYA and Ukrainian American community. To conclude her presentation, each debutante took her inaugural curtsy.
This year’s debutantes were: Deanna Natalya Barankewicz (Granite Springs, N.Y.), escorted by Orest Figol; Xenia Kaczurak (Ridgewood, N.Y.), escorted by Rostyslav Fedorko; Marta Vyshnyovska (Yonkers, N.Y.), escorted by Ruslan Semenko; Diana Byk (Secaucus, N.J.), escorted by Arthur Grubyak; Alexandra Catherine Peltyszyn (Clifton, N.J.), escorted by Adrian Skala; Yana Habura (Clifton), escorted by Nicholas Zielonka; Natalia Julianna Fryz (Oxford, Conn.), escorted by Alexander Sydor; Andrea Kathryn Neporanny (Washingtonville, N.Y.), escorted by Zakhar Pavlo Figol; Maryana Tymkiv (Staten Island, N.Y.), escorted by Uriy Yosypiv; ; Anastasiya Levytska (Manalapan, N.J.), escorted by Danylo Brandafi; Tetyana Banaryk (New Canaan, Conn.), escorted by Stepan Shkrobak; Katherine Anne Petrusenko (Mountainside, N.J.), escorted by Roman Opryshko; Victoria Christine Szpynda (Amawalk, N.Y.) escorted by Lukian Tomaszewsky; Natalia Kuzmiak (New York) escorted by Danylo Szkafarowsky; Christina Yavdoshnyak (Yonkers), escorted by Vladyslav Deputat; Arianna Marie Dubas (Lodi, N.J.), escorted by Adrian Baran; Anya Katherine Melnyk (Avon, Conn.) escorted by Mykhaylo Andriyashko; Kaitlen Telepko (Parsippany, N.J.), escorted by Alexander Jaroszak; and Sofia Wernyj (Highland Park, N.J.), escorted by Markian Ugrin.
Debutantes perform a waltz choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot.
After the presentation, debutante Ms. Byk had the honor of delivering the annual dedication, followed by introductory remarks presented by Adrian Dlaboha, president of the UAYA National Executive Board. Speaking to the debutantes directly, Mr. Dlaboha congratulated them on their debut and encouraged their continued participation in UAYA activities and Ukrainian American community life.
To conclude the formal portion of the program, the debutantes and their escorts performed a waltz, choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot. Guests looked on as the debutantes and escorts performed an intricate series of lifts and spins. After lengthy applause, the debutantes’ fathers took their daughters to dance, marking the end of their formal presentation.
Dinner began with a blessing led by Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Paul Chomnycky. As guests ate, two talented bands, New York’s Hrim and Montreal’s Zvook, kicked off the zabava. Their spectacular performance kept guests dancing all through the night. The rousing “Kolomyika,” as in years past, was one of the highlights of the night.
The debutante ball was a joyous evening for the debutantes and a wonderful celebration for the UAYA community and guests in attendance. It continues to be one of the highlights of the youth association’s calendar and an event many Ukrainians in the Northeast look forward to annually as a time to celebrate the new generation of UAYA members and catch up with old friends.
This event would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsors and supporters, including the SUMA Federal Credit Union in Yonkers, Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union, Yonkers Dim-SUMA and Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union. The committee acknowledged the support of the various volunteers whose efforts contributed to a wonderful evening, in particular the UAYA Executive Board and all the debutantes, escorts and parents who helped orchestrate this event.
The UAYA Debutante Ball Committee for 2019 was composed of Tatiana Palylyk Andersen (head), Stephanie DeBruin, Natalka Kudryk, Solomia Pylypiw, Valentyna Yasinska and Christine Porada Walsh.
The UAYA invites all to save the date for next year’s ball, which will take place on February 22.