UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: Philly branch of Engineers' Society holds 50th annual ball (03/28/04)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Philly branch of Engineers' Society holds 50th annual ball

by Metodij Boretsky

PHILADELPHIA - The 50th Engineers' Ball of the Philadelphia Branch of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America (UESA) was held here on Saturday, February 21, at the Park Hyatt Hotel. This year's ball included a banquet, presentation of debutantes, performance by the Voloshky Dance Ensemble and a ball to the music of the Tempo orchestra.

After the cocktail hour, Metodij Boretsky, head of the Philadelphia Branch of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America, opened the event and greeted the guests, especially the Rev. John Tsurpita; Ukraine's Consul General in New York Serhiy Pohoreltsev and his wife, Svitlana; parents of debutantes; the president of the executive board of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America, Andrij Wowk; and the vice-president of the UESA, Marco Shmerykowsky; and wished all the guests an enjoyable and a pleasant evening. Mr. Boretsky also introduced the master of ceremonies, Nestor Kyzymyshyn. After the formal opening, the dinner-banquet began with the invocation delivered by the Rev. Tsurpita.

After the dinner was served, the 10 debutantes and their escorts were presented: Natalia Olga Antoniak with Eryk Rizanow, Sophia Ulana Bilynsky with Khristopher Rizanow, Aleksandra Marie Wolchasty with Alexander Knihnytsky, Taisa Nina Hewka with Oles Metsiyak, Ivanna Hovhere with Andrij Harasevych, Khristina Katherine Dukh with Stephan Drabyk, Roxanne Zalucky with Dmytro Hrytsiv, Dianna Iwaskiw with Hryhorij Kotsko, Kateryna Maria Olchowecky with Nikolas Evangelist, and Andrea Maria Fylypovych with Tymotej Andersen.

The debutantes and their escorts were formally greeted by Mr. Boretsky, and introduced by Mr. Kyzymyshyn and Olenka Karpynych.

Mr. Boretsky congratulated each debutante personally and pinned ribbons on them with the assistance of Zirka Kyzymyshyn and Maria Cyhan. Ms. Cyhan, Nilya Pawluk, Slawa Halaway and Chrystyna Hud prepared debutantes for the presentation ceremony. As part of the presentation ceremony Mr. Boretsky formally greeted the debutantes on behalf of the Philadelphia Branch of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America and Metropolitan-Archbishop Stephan Soroka.

Consul General Pohoreltsev delivered his own greeting, as well as one on behalf of Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Mykhailo Reznik.

At this point of the event the Voloshky Dance Ensemble performed several Ukrainian dances to the delight of the audience. Mr. Wowk of New York also delivered a short speech on behalf of the UESA executive board. The dance program continued.

About 400 people attended the dinner and more than 600 persons enjoyed the dance afterwards.

The committee that organized the 2004 Engineers' Ball was composed of Mr. Boretsky, chairman, Petro Hewka, Larissa Zaika, Martha Shyprykevych, Ihor Kowaliw, Alexander Jarymovych, Wolodymyr Horbowyj, Myron Bilas, Mychajlo Komanowsky and Wolodymyr Kuzyk.

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