UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS: Twenty debutantes introduced at SUM ball in Westchester (04/09/06)

UKRAINIAN DEBUTANTE BALLS

Twenty debutantes introduced at SUM ball in Westchester

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. - As the much-touted blizzard of 2006 blew its fury into the Northeast, 20 "yunachky," members of various oseredky (branches) of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) were feverishly making last minute preparations for their much-awaited debut.

On the cold blustery night of February 11 over 600 guests had gathered at the Westchester Marriott to celebrate with these 20 young ladies - some from as far south as Georgia - as they were proudly presented by their parents at the traditional SUM Debutante Ball 2006.

The chairperson of the ball's organizing committee, Genya Kuzmowycz-Blahy, delivered the opening remarks to welcome the assembled guests and introduced the evening's masters of ceremonies, Marta Kolinsky Bojko and Pawlo Figol.

One could surely sense the joy and pleasure of her parents, family, friends and the entire extended SUM family as each young lady was individually introduced as she entered the ballroom full of youthful grace and self-assuredness. One by one they were met by their parents. Then, with their escorts, they took their first bow as their plans and dreams for the future were shared publicly, probably for the very first time.

Andrea Popovech of New York read the traditional SUM Debutante Oath this year. After Bohdan Harhaj, president of the SUM national board, extended greetings, the debutantes and their escorts stepped out to dance their first waltz, choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot. The young pairs whirled, twirled and dipped, the young ladies in their snow-white cotillion dresses and the young men in white ties and tails. The elegance, agility and grace were eye-catching.

What a night it was - great friends, good food, great non-stop music provided by Andrij Stasiw at the piano during the presentation and dinner, the music by the Zolota Bulava and Na Zdorovya bands throughout the evening. It was truly a fun and memorable evening for all. As the snow quickly accumulated to record levels outside, no one was in a rush to go anywhere.

The debutantes and their escorts at the 2006 SUM Debutante Ball were: Christina Bzowyckyj and Christopher Rizzo; Martha Danylyk and Yuriy Symchyk; Maria Diduch and Eric Habura; Kathrina Tataryn Gafycz and Myron Radowych; Maria Guida and Andrew Bybel; Cassandra Habura and Andrew Baran; Sylvia Hyra and Michael Bybel; Alexandra Kebalo and Michael Kapitula; Kathryn Lynn Kovac and Markian Frycz; Ksenia Kulynych and Eric Von Hoffen; Daria Laschuk and Roman Palylyk; Christina Pekhnyk and Damyan Shchur; Christine Platosz and Roman Kovbasniuk; Andrea Popovech and Michael Kanishchak; Jessica Szafran and Peter Kolinsky; Melania Tkach and Adrian Winyarskyj; Kristina Anna Wyrsta and Mykola Perich; Nadia Julia Wyrsta and Andrew Kuzemyak; Solomia Zhownirovych and Roman Keniuk and Justine Zozula and Peter Tsapar.

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