PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On February 6, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) hosted its 52nd annual Debutante Ball at the Sheraton Hotel in Parsippany, N.J.
This year, 15 young women, all dressed in white and accompanied by escorts, made their ceremonial debut before a full ballroom of family, friends and members of the UAYA community.
The UAYA Debutante Ball, under the auspices of the national executive, 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 crop of young women, who came from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for the black-tie affair, joined a group of almost 800 others who have previously participated in this particular rite of passage with the UAYA. Their formal presentation capped off a lively evening that included a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres hour, dinner and dancing.
After guests mingled at the cocktail hour, Natalka Horbachevsky, chair of the debutante ball organizing committee, officially welcomed the guests to the formal portion of the evening and introduced this year’s master and mistress of ceremonies, Yuriy Symczyk and Ulana Blahy. Mr. Symczyk and Ms. Blahy are active members in the Irvington, N.J., and Yonkers, N.Y., branches of the UAYA, respectively, and had the distinct honor of presenting this year’s debutantes and their chosen escorts.
As the guests attentively looked on, the MCs introduced the debutantes, one by one. Each girl, dressed in a long white gown and elbow-length gloves as is the custom, walked gracefully through the ballroom to the center of the dance floor, greeting her parents and handing her mother a rose. After thanking her parents graciously, the debutante received her bouquet and was met by her escort. The couple circled the dance floor as the emcees read out the debutante’s academic accomplishments, activities and interests, highlighting in particular her involvement in the UAYA and the Ukrainian American community. Each debutante then concluded by curtsying to the cheering crowd, officially signifying her debut.
This year’s debutantes were: Tetiana Winiarskyj (Old Saybrook, Conn.), escorted by Andrew Hrubiy; Oksana Maria Voronchak (Southington, Conn.), escorted by Andrew Andrach; Katherine Ann Wislocki (Valhalla, N.Y.), escorted by Greg Reda; Stephanie Mari Humen (Kensington, Conn.), escorted by Stefan Klics; Deanna Maria Humennyj (Farmington, Conn.) escorted by Joseph Symochko; Alexa Christina Zborowski (Southington, Conn.), escorted by Christian Andrach; Adrianna Maria Kobyleckyj (Washingtonville, N.Y.), escorted by Marko Cohen; Kalyna Olena Leshchuk (East Hanover, N.J.), escorted by Andrij Kuzemczak; Stephanie Alana Melnyk (Avon, Conn.); escorted by Stephan Zaets; Halyna Sabadakh (Brooklyn, N.Y.), escorted by Uriy Yosypiv; Alexandra Lila Tymikiw (Parsippany, N.J.), escorted by George Oliarnyk, Jr.; Natalie Teresa Shevchik (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.), escorted by Taras Bodnar; Adriana Melanie Szpynda (Amawalk, N.Y.), escorted by Zachary Vukosa; Emily Maria Szpynda (Amawalk, N.Y.), escorted by Nicholas Gaschler; and Olesya Shturypita (Newington, Conn.), escorted by Michael Szafran.
After the presentation, Miss Shturypita read the oath that is delivered every year by a selected debutante. Yuriy Mykytyn, president of the national executive of the UAYA, then made his introductory remarks to the crowd. Speaking to the debutantes directly, Mr. Mykytyn congratulated them on this milestone and encouraged their continued participation in UAYA activities and the Ukrainian American sphere.
The last portion of the formal program featured a waltz performed by the debutantes and their escorts. Arranged by Hryhoriy Momot, the event’s longstanding choreographer, the girls and their partners performed a beautiful dance. After lengthy applause, the debutantes’ fathers took their daughters to dance, marking the end of the formal presentation.
After a blessing led by Bishop Paul Chomnycky, guests sat down for dinner; soon afterwards, the zabava began. Two talented bands, New York’s Hrim and Montreal’s Zvook, kept the crowd dancing all night with non-stop music. The rousing “Kolomyika,” as in years past, was one of the highlights of the night.
The debutante ball was a great evening for the debutantes and a wonderful celebration for the UAYA community and guests in attendance. From the polished debutantes and escorts and their supportive families, to the dinner music provided by Andrij Stasiw, the night was elegant, joyful and memorable.
The UAYA Debutante Ball continues to be one of the highlights of the youth association’s calendar and an event many Ukrainians in the Northeast look forward to annually as a time to celebrate the new generation of UAYA members and catch up with old friends.
The event would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsors and supporters, including the SUMA Federal Credit Union in Yonkers, Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union, Yonkers Dim-SUMA, and Self Reliance (New York) Federal Credit Union. The committee acknowledged the support of the various volunteers whose efforts contributed to a wonderful evening, in particular the UAYA executive board and all the debutantes, escorts and parents who helped orchestrate this event.
The UAYA Debutante Ball Committee for 2016 was composed of Natalka Horbachev-sky (chair), Larysa Blahy Tatarenko, Katia Kucyna, Olia Figol, Daria Horbachevsky, Myron Pryjmak and Olia Zahnijnyj.
The UAYA invites all to save the date for next year’s ball, which will take place on February 25, 2017.