Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) -- US

UAYA 48th Annual Debutante Ball

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On February 18, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) hosted its 48th annual Debutante Ball. Eighteen young women made their debut before a full ballroom of nearly 600 dinner guests, with more guests joining the celebration after the banquet to welcome the debutantes into the UAYA community.

The UAYA Debutante Ball is a longstanding tradition among the CYM members of the Northeast. This year, the debutantes came from Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia for the black-tie affair, which combines a ceremonial presentation of debutantes with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres hour, dinner, and dancing. After the cocktail hour, Larysa Blahy-Tatarenko, chair of the Debutante Committee, welcomed the guests to the formal part of the evening in the ballroom. She also introduced this year’s Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, Olia Figol and Yuriy Symchyk. Ms. Figol and Mr. Symchyk are both active members of the UAYA and had the pleasure of presenting this year’s debutantes and their chosen escorts.

In her long white gown, each girl walked through the ballroom to the center of the dance floor, greeting her parents and handing her mother a red rose. Thanking her parents graciously for their love and support, the debutante then received her bouquet and met her escort. As they walked around the perimeter of the floor in front of the attentive guests, the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies read out their academic accomplishments and activities, highlighting in particular their involvement in the UAYA. Each debutante then curtsied to the cheering crowd.

This year’s debutantes were: Marta Yarish (Passaic), escorted by Petro Chudolij; Zoryana Zaryckyj (New York), escorted by Theodore Bodnar; Olenka Omeliach (Hartford), escorted by Roman Diduch; Maria Surmachevska (Passaic), escorted by Alex Drobot; Sofia Soroka (Jersey City) escorted by Ryan Zawojski; Ola Bihuniak (Passaic), escorted by Michael Betley; Nadia Anna Klapacz (Whippany), escorted by Rostyk Sydor; Diana Luba Mikula (Whippany), escorted by Nicholas Holowko; Lesia Dubenko (Philadelphia), escorted by Alexander Szemeczko; Jessica Chrystia Demianicz (Jersey City), escorted by Paul Doboszczak; Nusia Kerda (Baltimore), escorted by Basil Stolar; Karinna Anna Hudyma (Baltimore), escorted by Michael Szafran; Victoria Anna Charuk (Binghamton), escorted by Stepan Kobyleckyj; Christina Maria DeBruin (Yonkers), escorted by Matthew Skalski; Romanna Dumyak (Philadelphia), escorted by Dmytro Hryckowian; Dana Kurylyk (New York), escorted by Andrew Kebalo; Christine Mlynaryk (Yonkers) escorted by Matthew Tomaszewsky; and Oksana Varshavsky (Whippany), escorted by Alexander Syzonenko After the presentation, Sofia Soroka read the “pryrechennia,” or oath, that is read each year by a selected debutante. Next, Andriy Bihun, president of the UAYA, addressed the crowd, warmly welcoming friends, family and fellow UAYA members to the auspicious occasion. Speaking to the debutantes directly, Mr. Bihun congratulated them on this milestone and encouraged their continued participation in UAYA programs and the national and global Ukrainian community.

The last portion of the formal program was the Viennese waltz performed by the debutantes and their escorts. Choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot, who has arranged the dance at every UAYA debutante ball for over a decade, the girls and their partners dazzled the guests with lifts and twirls. After the applause, the debutantes’ fathers took their daughters to dance, marking the beginning of the ball itself.

After a blessing led by the Master and Mistress of Ceremony, the guests sat down the dinner and soon after the zabava began. Two talented bands, Hrim from New York and Vorony from Syracuse, kept the crowd dancing all night with nonstop music. One of the highlights of the UAYA Debutante Ball is the high-energy “kolomyika” and this year’s saw many members of local dance ensembles take turns on the dance floor to show off their steps.

The debutante ball was a great success and a wonderful evening for the debutantes. From the polished debutantes and escorts and their supportive families, to the dinner music provided by Andrij Stasiw, the evening was elegant and joyful. The night continues to be one of the highlights of the UAYA calendar and an event many Ukrainians in the Northeast look forward to annually, a time to celebrate the new generation of CYM members and catch up with old friends. The event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsor and supporters, including SUMA Federal Credit Union in Yonkers, Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union, Yonkers Dim-SUMA, and Self Reliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union. We would also like to acknowledge the meticulous planning and support of the various volunteers, UAYA National Executive Board, and all the debutantes, escorts, and parents who helped orchestrate this event.

The UAYA Debutante Ball Committee for 2012 was composed of Mrs. Blahy-Tatarenko (chair), Genya Kuzmowycz Blahy, Darka Horbachevsky, Olia Zahnijnyj, Natalka Horbachevsky and Myron Pryjmak.

The UAYA invites you to save the date for next year’s ball, which will take place on February 9th, 2013.