UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: Chicago SUM's Malanka introduces 2004 debutantes (03/28/04)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Chicago SUM's Malanka introduces 2004 debutantes

by Chrystya Wereszczak

CHICAGO - The annual New Year's Ball, or Malanka, of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) in Chicago was held on Saturday, January 10, at the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

Guests arrived at 6 p.m. for delicious hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in the foyer of the Grand Ballroom. The traditional friendly and joyous atmosphere was at once evident as old and new friends greeted each other throughout the hour. Guests then entered the lovely gilded hall and were seated at elegantly set tables. Beautiful commemorative booklets compiled by Mariyka Krutiak were included in the table setting. Paul Kulas, master of ceremonies, opened the celebration by greeting the more than 500 guests present.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of nine lovely debutantes, conducted by Kateryna Kulas, choreographer of the debutante presentation, and a counselor in SUM over many years for most of the debutantes. Guests greeted the proud and beaming parents.

Descending gracefully down one of two staircases leading from the balcony, each debutante was individually introduced with a brief description of her activities and future plans, receiving the traditional sash and congratulations from the "bulavnyi," Andrij Kosowsky, and president, Taras Drozd, of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch, as well as the "bulavna," Diana Fedaj, of the Dmytro Vitovskyj Branch in Palatine. Their individual presentation ended with each of the debutantes greeting the guests with a deep and graceful bow.

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. Kulas continued with the presentation, calling upon the fathers to lead their daughters in a waltz. Throughout the nicely 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 on the foreheads of their daughters.

The mothers were honored next in a touching ceremony. The youngest members of "yunatsvo," twins Roksolana and Petro Jerzewsky, distributed long-stemmed red roses to each of the debutantes, who then presented them to their mothers. There were many tears of joy among the mothers as well as the guests.

The spotlight was then on the debutantes and their escorts. To an interesting medley by Andre Rieu, 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 awarded with extended applause from the guests.

After a prayer led by the Rev. Ivan Krotec, pastor of Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Parish in Chicago, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and dancing to the sounds of the Zorepad and Impulse bands, both from Chicago.

At the stroke of midnight New Year favors were brought out and friends and acquaintances embraced each other with the New Year. Reluctantly, guests left, but did so with wonderful memories. The lovely evening was made possible by the Malanka committee chaired by Lilia Zaparaniuk and members Odarka Czerniak, Darka Kusznir-Harrison, Ms. Krutiak, Ms. Kulas, Chrystyna Matkowskyj-Korol and Marusia Worobec.

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