Malanka 2014

Chicago – The American Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM), Mykola Pavlushkov Branch in Chicago hosted its annual New Year’s Ball, “Malanka” on January 25, 2014 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. Guests arrived at 6:00 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the foyer of the Chicago Ballroom. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the New Year and greeted each other throughout the hour. Yuriy Striltschuk, Master of Ceremonies, opened the evening by welcoming and greeting the 350+ guests present.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of nine lovely debutantes from both the Chicago and Palatine branches of CYM. The presentation was choreographed and lead by Adriana Karawan who also serves as co-choreographer for the ISKRA Dance Ensemble of the Dmytro Vitovskyj branch. Ivanka Bryan, the long-time vykhovyk for the majority of the debutantes, spoke to the debutantes – congratulating them and wishing them much success in their future endeavors as active CYM members. Each debutante was introduced, receiving a traditional sash and congratulated by Paul Bandriwsky, President of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch; Mryon Wasiunec, President of the Dmytro Vitovskyj Branch and Ivanka Bryan, Vykhovnyk of the rij “Zozulky.” The debutantes’ individual presentations ended with each of them greeting the guests with a deep and graceful bow as their parents looked on with pride.

Adriana Karawan continued with the presentation, calling upon the fathers to lead their daughters in a waltz, which was beautifully choreographed and ended with a sweet, loving kiss from the fathers. The mothers were then presented with a long-stemmed red rose as a thank you for all their love and support.

The spotlight then turned to the debutantes and their escorts. They entertained the guests with a wonderfully choreographed traditional waltz full of elaborate formations, turns, dips and bows. Their elegance, poise and beauty were appreciated with extended applause from their family, friends and guests.

Paul Bandriwsky greeted all of the guests and their families with warmest wishes for the coming New Year. Congratulating the debutantes, he wished them success as they embark on their path into adulthood. Special guest, Oleh Medunytsya, founder and Chair of CYM in Sumshchyna and Vice Komandant of EuroMaidan, extended a greeting to the guests for support of EuroMaidan. Before dinner, Very Rev. Oleh Kryvokulsky, pastor of Sts. Volodymyr & Olha church led everyone in prayer. After dinner, guests enjoyed the rest of the evening by dancing to the sounds of Klopit, a Chicago-based band. As midnight approached, New Year’s party favors were passed around as friends and acquaintances embraced each other, welcoming the New Year. Before the evening ended, the guests participated in the traditional Kolomeyka. Sincerest thanks and recognition are due to all those who helped make this lovely evening possible, particularly the “Malanka” committee: Chairperson, Deanna Wruskyj; members Kristin Chylak, Nadya Dudycz DiBartolo, Adriana Karawan, Christina Ofisher, Olena Vasilik and Natalia Vidmar.

The American Ukrainian Youth Association, Mykola Pavlushkov Branch would like to thank its members for their commitment and hard work throughout the year. A special thank you goes out to parents for their cooperation and for bringing their children to weekly meetings and activities; to our benefactors for their enthusiastic support and belief in the organization; to our spiritual

 – Podruha Olena Vasilik