The highlight of the evening was the presentation of eight lovely debutantes from both the Chicago and Palatine branches of CYM. The presentation was choreographed and conducted by Adriana Karawan who also serves as co-choreographer for the ISKRA Dance Ensemble of the Dmytro Vitovskyj branch. Each debutante was introduced, receiving a traditional sash and congratulated by Paul Bandriwsky, President of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch, as well as by Michael Osyka, “Bulavnyj” of the Pavlushkov Branch in Chicago and Vera Fitzgerald, a member of the board at the Dmytro Vitovskyj Branch in Palatine. The debutantes’ individual presentations ended with each of them greeting the guests with a deep and graceful bow as their parents looked on beaming with pride.

Paul Bandriwsky 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. Adriana Karawan continued with the presentation, calling upon the fathers to lead their daughters in a waltz. Throughout the beautifully choreographed dance, one could not help but notice the bond of love between father and daughter, appropriately expressed at the end of the dance with a kiss from the fathers. The mothers were honored next in a touching ceremony. Each of the debutantes was given a long-stemmed rose to present to their mothers. There were many tears of joy visible among the mothers as well as on-looking guests.

The spotlight was then on the debutantes and their escorts. They delighted the guests with another wonderfully choreographed dance, interweaving traditional and Ukrainian flavor. Throughout a spirited series of dips, twirls and bows they covered the entire large dance floor. Their radiance, grace, beauty, elegance and charm were appreciated with extended applause from the guests

Before dinner, guests were led in prayer by Very Reverend Bohdan Nalysnyk of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Chicago. After dinner, guests enjoyed the rest of the evening by dancing to the sounds of the Rendezvous and Klopit, both Chicago-based bands. At the stroke of midnight New Year favors were brought out and friends and acquaintances embraced each other, welcoming the New Year. Reluctantly, guests left, but did so with wonderful memories. Sincerest thanks and recognition are due to all those who helped make this lovely evening possible, particularly the “Malanka” committee: Chairperson, Deanna Wruskyj; members Heather Baranivsky, Kristin Chylak, Irene Czerniuk, Nadya Dudycz-DiBartolo, Adriana Karawan and Andrea Mulyk.

The American Ukrainian Youth Association, Mykola Pavlushkov Branch would like to thank its members for their commitment and hard work throughout the year. Thanks go out to parents for their cooperation and for bringing their children to weekly meetings and activities; to our benefactors for their enthusiastic support and belief in the organization; to our spiritual fathers for their continued prayers and guidance. Once again we congratulate our debutantes with heartfelt wishes for a bright and blessed future.