March 31, 2017

Ukrainian American Youth Association welcomes debutantes

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YPC Studio

The 15 debutantes are presented to the crowd.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On February 25, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA, also known by the acronym CYM) held its 53rd annual debutante ball at the Sheraton hotel in Parsippany, N.J. The ball marked the societal debut for 15 young women.

This year’s group of women came from all over the tri-state area to be presented to a ballroom full of family, friends, UAYA members and other guests.

The UAYA Debutante Ball, held under the auspices of the organization’s 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 over 800 young women who were ceremonially presented in this rite of passage.

Following a lively cocktail hour, Natalka Horbachevsky, chair of the organizing committee, officially welcomed guests to the ballroom for the formal portion of the evening and introduced this year’s master and mistress of ceremonies, Peter Kolinsky and Ulana Blahy. Mr. Kolinsky and Ms. Blahy, active members in the Hartford, Conn., and Yonkers, N.Y., branches of the UAYA, respectively, had the distinct honor of presenting this year’s debutantes and their chosen escorts.

One by one, the emcees announced the debutantes, who were all dressed in flowing white ball gowns and crisp, elbow-length gloves. Each girl walked through the sparkling lights of the ballroom to greet her parents at the center of the dance floor. She embraced her parents, received her bouquet and was met by her escort.

From there, she and her escort circled the perimeter of the dance floor as the emcees lauded her academic achievements, activities and hobbies, and dedicated involvement in the UAYA. To conclude her presentation, the debutante took her inaugural curtsy and was met with applause, signifying her official debut.

This year’s debutantes were: Melanie Agne (Westfield, N.J..), escorted by Stephen Handzy; Nicole Bukacz (Mount Laurel, N.J.), escorted by Stefan Klics; Christina Bundziak (Ardsley, N.Y.), escorted by Stefan Zawojski; Melanie Dubenko (Philadephia), escorted by Nicholas Gaschler; Julia Fazzinga (Yonkers, N.Y.) escorted by Danylo Szkafarowsky; Sophia Kocur (Bronxville, N.Y.), escorted by Stepan Shkrobak; Tatiana Krawec (Yonkers, N.Y.), escorted by George Oliarnyk Jr.; Kyra Lozynskyj (Boonton Township, N.J.), escorted by Matthew Bach; Tania Melnyk (Long Island City, N.Y.), escorted by Damian Kosciolek; Adrianna Oliver (Clifton, N.J.), escorted by Roman Andrach Jr.; Sofia Polishchuk (Bayonne, N.J.), escorted by Christian Andrach; Victoria Sicilian (Rockaway, N.J.), escorted by Alexander Zawojski; Daria Smaluch (Bridgewater, N.J.), escorted by Andriy Zaltsman; Olivia Wislocki (Valhalla, N.Y.), escorted by Zachary Vukosa; and Kateryna Yurkevych (Burlington, Conn.), escorted by Uriy Yosupiv.

After the presentation of the debutantes, Miss Smaluch read the oath that is recited every year by a selected debutante. Yuriy Mykytyn, president of the UAYA’s National Executive Board, 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.

To conclude the formal portion of the program, the debutantes and their escorts performed a waltz choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot. This marked the 20th year Mr. Momot has lent his talents, grace and eye for drama to making the formal waltz one of the most anticipated portions of the evening. At the conclusion of the dance, the committee welcomed Mr. Momot onto the floor to thank him for his service with a bouquet. After lengthy applause, the debutantes’ fathers took their daughters to dance, marking the end of their formal presentation.

Dinner began with a blessing led by Bishop Paul Chomnycky. After the banquet, two talented bands, New York’s Hrim and Montreal’s Zvook, kicked off the zabava. Their spectacular performance kept guests dancing all through the night. The rousing “Kolomyika,” as in years past, was one of the highlights of the night.

The debutante ball was a joyous evening for the debutantes and a wonderful celebration for the UAYA community and guests in attendance. The tradition of the formal presentation coupled with the excitement of the zabava made it an elegant, jubilant and memorable event for all.

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 2017 was composed of Ms. Horbachevsky (chair), Katia Kucyna, Olia Figol, Daria Horbachevsky, Myron Pryjmak, Olia Zahnijnyj and Natalka Kudryk.

The UAYA invites all to save the date for next year’s ball, which will take place on February 10, 2018.

The debutantes and escorts perform their waltz, as choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot.

The debutantes and escorts perform their waltz, as choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot.

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