RYE BROOK, N.Y. – The Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) hosted its 56th annual Debutante Ball at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook, N.Y., on February 22. Over 800 guests gathered to celebrate as 15 young women made their formal debut into the Ukrainian American community.
The UAYA Debutante Ball, under the auspices of the National Executive Board, is a longstanding tradition among UAYA members of the Northeast. The event has its roots in European court custom and was adopted in the mid-20th century by Ukrainian American diaspora organizations. This year’s debutantes joined the ranks of nearly 900 young women who have taken part in this rite of passage over the past half century.