UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: Detroit Engineers' Society holds 43rd annual Winter Ball (04/09/06)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Detroit Engineers' Society holds 43rd annual Winter Ball

DETROIT - The 43rd annual Winter Ball and presentation of debutantes, organized by the Detroit Chapter of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America (UESA), was held on February 11 at the Troy Marriott Hotel.

Eight debutantes were presented to Ukrainian society: Laura Natalie Blazinski, escorted by James Mueller; Natalie Chrystyna-Modesta Fedirko, escorted by Zenon Paul Kossak; Elizabeth Ann Kossak, escorted by Mark Thomson; Viktoria Lesya Krajnc, escorted by Antin Bohdan Durbak; Dimitra Stefania Leheta, escorted by Gregory Homick; Alexandra Christina Pichurko, escorted by Zorian Lasowsky; Kathryn Marika Pytiak, escorted by Thomas Haubenreich; and Natalie Irene Taras, escorted by Jeffrey John LaPalme.

Natalia Lewickyj, president of the Detroit Chapter of UESA, welcomed the guests and introduced the mistress of ceremonies, Dr. Ksenia Kozak, a biomedical engineer employed by Ford Motor Co.

Dr. Kozak began her opening remarks by highlighting the important role of debutante balls to the Ukrainian American community. The debutante balls, she stated, are an opportunity to bring the community together and to show our youth that we value their role within the Ukrainian community.

Over 200 guests gathered at the Troy Marriot Hotel were captivated as the debutantes were introduced and their achievements and talents were highlighted.

The evening's festivities began with the debutantes' first dance with their escorts. The elegant presentation, choreographed by Laryssa Kozak and Zina Kozak-Zachary, continued as the debutantes danced with their fathers. The mothers of the debutantes were each presented with a long-stemmed rose. The presentation concluded with a toast to the debutantes.

Dr. Kozak addressed the debutantes, stressing that membership in the Ukrainian society includes a responsibility to be involved in community life and to take on leadership roles. She emphasized that each debutante has the potential to play a significant role in Ukrainian society. The debutantes were then toasted with a resounding "Mnohaya Lita!"

The festivities continued after dinner as guests danced to the music of the band Vorony. And, in the early hours of the morning, it became obvious how successful this year's Winter Ball was. When the band stopped playing, the debutantes, their escorts and friends just wouldn't leave. They kept dancing the night away as they sang Ukrainian folk songs.

The success of the event was due to the hard work of the Winter Ball Committee: Dianna Korduba Sawicky (chairperson), Natalie Lewyckyj, Ksenia Kozak, Laryssa Kozak, Zina Kozak-Zachary, Irene Senyk, Ihor Senyk, Gregory Woloszczuk and Oksana Woloszczuk.

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