March 21, 2015

Chicago hosts UMANA Illinois Charity Debutante Ball

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Maksym Prokopiv Photography

Debutantes and their escorts (from left): Larissa Masnyk, Roman Kowalchuk, Julianna Popowycz, Alexander Zelez, Oriana Jastrembsky, Peter Jerzewski, Deanna Charkewycz, Orian Shkrobut, Mikaela Senycia and Maksym Hryhorczuk.

 

Debutantes and their escorts (from left): Larissa Masnyk, Roman Kowalchuk, Julianna Popowycz, Alexander Zelez, Oriana Jastrembsky, Peter Jerzewski, Deanna Charkewycz, Orian Shkrobut, Mikaela Senycia and Maksym Hryhorczuk.

Maksym Prokopiv Photography

Debutantes and their escorts (from left): Larissa Masnyk, Roman Kowalchuk, Julianna Popowycz, Alexander Zelez, Oriana Jastrembsky, Peter Jerzewski, Deanna Charkewycz, Orian Shkrobut, Mikaela Senycia and Maksym Hryhorczuk.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Branch of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA-Illinois) hosted the 54th traditional annual Banquet and Charity Ball with Presentation of Debutantes on February 14 at Chicago’s historic Palmer House in the heart of the downtown “Loop” area. Although the weather was very cold, the snow held off falling until the following morning.

Planning and preparation for this annual event began months ago, leading to a memorable and successful event for all. In November, the debutantes attended a mother-daughter luncheon, where they began planning the details of their debut.

The 2015 Debutante Ball took place on Valentine’s Day, and fittingly the ballroom was decorated with alternating centerpieces filled with red roses. Guests and friends greeted each other warmly throughout the cocktail hour. Over 320 participants were seated in the stunningly ornate and elegantly decorated ballroom. In addition, over 150 guests lined the balcony to view the presentation.

Debutantes and escorts perform an intricate waltz.

Debutantes and escorts perform an intricate waltz.

The debutantes, on the arms of their parents, opened the formal program with a grand entrance into the ballroom. Dr. Arkadiush Byskosh, president of UMANA-Illinois, presented the five debutantes to Chicago’s Ukrainian community. The debutantes bowed charmingly and gracefully as they were introduced, along with their proud parents and escorts.

The debutantes were from the Illinois area, as well as from Rhode Island. The young ladies and their escorts began practicing their opening waltz months in advance, performing an intricate and beautiful dance program under the expert choreography of Roxana Dykyj-Pylypczak with help from Adriana Striltschuk-Karawan.

The debutantes, in their flowing white gowns and holding their pink bouquets, danced elegantly and effortlessly to the sounds of Strauss waltzes, first with their fathers and then with their escorts. Dr. Byskosh welcomed the debutantes, their parents, escorts and guests, who came from all over the United States and Canada for this charity ball. He thanked them for their continuing support and participation.

Debutantes enjoy their special evening.

Debutantes enjoy their special evening.

Roxana Charkewycz, speaking on behalf of the proud parents, warmly addressed their daughters, the debutantes, wishing them well in their future endeavors both in their Ukrainian and American community lives. All five debutantes spoke next, thanking their parents for their unwavering support and love, as well as expressing gratitude to the sponsors and guests for their contribution to the memorable evening. Each debutante then presented her mother with a rose in appreciation for her hard work and commitment.

More than 200 guests, both young and old, arrived after dinner, and danced the night away to the sounds of Chicago’s Klopit band. Later in the evening the guests, debutantes and escorts all participated in the anticipated traditional folk dance, the kolomyika. The debutantes were seen on the dance floor performing beautifully choreographed kolomyika moves that lasted close to an hour. The debutantes and their families celebrated well into the night amidst fine music and friends.

Traditionally, debutante balls help raise funds for charity. This year, the proceeds from this ball will benefit the UMANA Foundation’s UMANIKINs Project. The success of this fund-raiser was unprecedented. The UMANIKINs Project will allow the foundation to supply trauma manikins for use in advanced life support and combat casualty training classes in Ukraine.

The 2015 organizing committee included many volunteers. Special thanks were expressed to Dr. Byskosh, Dr. Diana Iwanik, Marta Kozbur and Larissa Matusiak. Their dedicated efforts resulted in an imposing and enjoyable event for all involved.

All are invited for the next UMANA-Illinois debutante ball on January 23, 2016.

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