On February 26, at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, the Ukrainian American Youth Association held its annual Debutante Ball. Fifteen young ladies were presented to a full ballroom of nearly 600 dinner guests, the 47th debutantes in so many years to make their formal introduction to the CYM community at the event.

As the lights dimmed in the ballroom and the girls waited patiently outside the door, Larysa Blahy-Tatarenko, chairwoman of the Debutante Committee, welcomed the guests to the formal part of the evening with her introductory remarks. Then, as maestro Andrij Stasiw took his place behind the piano, the M.C.s for the evening, Adrian Dlaboha and Olia Figol, presented the debutantes one by one. Each girl walked through the center of the dance floor and greeted her parents, handing her mother a red rose and receiving her bouquet in exchange. Accompanied by her escort, the girl then slowly walked to the center of the ballroom as the M.C.s read out a list of their schooling, accomplishments and future aspirations. All eyes were on the debutante as she curtsied to the room, marking her entrance as an adult in the CYM community.

This year the debutantes were Ivanka Bihun of Pine Bush, NY, escorted by Basil Stolar of Baltimore, MD; Tania Bihuniak of Morris Plains, NJ, escorted by Matthew Skalski of Yonkers, NJ; Camille Bobiak of Middletown, RI, escorted by Ryan Reid of Boston, MA; Olha Bohun of Philadelphia, PA, escorted by Uriy Fedoryshyn of Newtown, PA; Larissa Bundziak of Ardsley, NY, escorted by Danylo Kobyleckyj of Goshen, NY; Adriana Holowko of Paramus, NJ, escorted by David Rusyniak of New Fairfield, CT; Iryna Hrubiy of Cherry Hill, NJ, escorted by Michael Kozicky of Yonkers, NY; Stephanie Humeniuk of Baltimore, MD, escorted by Peter Priatka of Somerville, NJ; Katherine Mandicz of Great Meadows, NJ, escorted by Zak Buniak of Syracuse, NY; Natalie Midzak of Philadelphia, PA, escorted by Andrew Kebalo of Hartford, CT; Jennifer Odomirok of Stony Point, NY, escorted by Nicholas Balko of Yonkers, NY; Elena Vatasin of Clifton, NJ, escorted by Roman Diduch of Clifton, NJ; Anna Vdovyuk of Buffalo, NY, escorted by Mark Nahorniak of Irvington, NJ; Monika Wislocki of Yonkers, NY, escorted by Adrian Teniuch of Yonkers, NY; and Andrea Zelez of Glastonburg, CT, escorted by Paul Doboszczak of Naugatuck, CT

After the presentation, debutante Natalie Midzak read the pryrechennya, or oath, that is read every year by a chosen debutante. Next, Andriy Bihun, President of the Ukrainian American Youth Association, warmly addressed the crowd, welcoming friends, family and fellow CYM members to the ball.

Before dinner was served, the debutantes and their escorts performed a waltz choreographed by ballet master Hryhoriy Momot. Mr. Momot has arranged the dance at the Debutante Ball for over ten years, and this year, as in the past, the debutantes and their partners impressed the crowd with their twirls and lifts. Many of the young pairs are members of Ukrainian folk dancing ensembles and all of the debutantes and partners did a wonderful job with their waltz.

After dinner was served, the ballroom opened up to other guests as the zabava started. Over 800 people were in attendance for this part of the night, many staying until the music stopped at two A.M. The dance floor was packed all night as the two bands, "Hrim" from New York City and "Vorony" from Syracuse, New York, played nonstop. The two bands traded off during a very energetic kolomyika and many local dance ensembles took turns showing off their dance steps.

By Natalka Horbachevsky

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General Information   |   Obizhnyk 1     |   Invitation   |   Reservation information    |   article/photos

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For Debutantes: Obizhnyk / Registration Form / Rules & Regulations  

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