UAYA 49th Annual Debutante Ball

On February 9^th, 2013, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) hosted its 49^th annual Debutante Ball at the Sheraton in Parsippany, New Jersey.

This year, ten 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 is a longstanding tradition among the CYM members of the Northeast. This year, the debutantes came from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland for the black-tie affair. 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, Larysa Blahy-Tatarenko, chairwoman of the Debutante Committee, officially welcomed the guests to event and introduced this year’s Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, Yuriy Symchyk and Olia Figol. Mr. Symchyk and Ms. Figol are both active members of the UAYA and had the honor of presenting this year’s debutantes and their chosen escorts.

As the guests attentively looked on, the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies introduced the debutantes, one by one. Each girl walked gracefully through the ballroom to the center of the dance floor, greeting her parents and handing her mother a red rose. After thanking her parents graciously, the debutante received her bouquet and met 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.

This year’s debutantes were: Alicia Marie Hecner (Baltimore, MD), escorted by Andrew Korotunov; Sofia Stefania Horyn (Old Bethpage, NY), escorted by Andrew Keeley; Melanya Katherine Humeniuk (Perry Hall, MD), escorted by Matthew Tomaszewsky; Alexandra Anna Mamrosz (Yonkers, NY), escorted by Ivan Medwid; Kristen Mandicz (Hackettstown, NJ), escorted by Yura Zakalyuzhnyy; Alexa Kristin Oliarnyk (Mahwah, NJ), escorted by Ryan Zawojski; Stefania Maria Pereksta (Oakridge, NJ), escorted by Paul Tymikiw; Marta Telepko (Parsippany, NJ), escorted by Roman Diduch; Alexandra Maria Teniuch (White Plains, NY), escorted by Nicholas Holowko; and Marianna Tymocz (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY), escorted by Stefan Palylyk.

After the presentation, Alexa Oliarnyk read the “pryrechennia,” or oath, that is read every year by a selected debutante. Next, Andriy Bihun, president of the UAYA, made his introductory remarks to the crowd, warmly all to the auspicious occasion. Speaking to the debutantes directly, Mr. Bihun congratulated them on this milestone and encouraged their continued participation in UAYA activities and the Ukrainian-American community.

The last portion of the formal program was the Viennese waltz performed by the debutantes and their escorts. Choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot, who has arranged this waltz at every UAYA debutante ball for over a decade, the girls and their partners performed a beautiful dance. After the lengthy applause, the debutantes’ fathers took their daughters to dance, marking the beginning of the ball itself.

After a blessing led by the Master and Mistress of Ceremony, the guests sat down the dinner and soon after the zabava began. Two talented bands, Hrim from New York and Vorony from Syracuse, kept the crowd dancing all night with nonstop music. The “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 and joyful. The Debutante Ball continues to be one of the highlights of the UAYA calendar and an event many Ukrainians in the Northeast look forward to annually: a time to celebrate the new generation of CYM members and catch up with old friends. The event would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsor and supporters, including the SUMA Federal Credit Union in Yonkers, Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union, Yonkers Dim-SUMA, and Self Reliance (NY) Federal Credit Union. We would also like to acknowledge the meticulous planning and support of the various volunteers, UAYA executive board, and all the debutantes, escorts, and parents who helped orchestrate this event.

The UAYA Debutante Ball Committee for 2013 was composed of Ms. Blahy-Tatarenko (chair), Olia Figol, Daria Horbachevsky, Natalka Horbachevsky, Myron Pryjmak, and Olya Zahnijnyj,

The UAYA invites you to save the date for next year’s ball, which will take place on March 1, 2014.

The following photos are courtesy of Yuri Lev Studio: