The 50th Engineers' Ball of the Philadelphia Branch of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America (UESA) was held on Saturday, February 21, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Philadelphia. This year's ball included a banquet, the presentation of debutantes, a performance by the Dance Ensemble "Voloshky" and a ball to the music of the Tempo orchestra.

After the cocktail hour, Metodij Boretsky, head of the UESA's Philadelphia Chapter opened the event and greeted the guests. He extended special greetings to Father John Tsurpita, Consul General of Ukraine to the United States Serhij Pohoreltsev and his wife Svitlana, the parents of the debutantes, UESA National President Andrij Wowk and his wife, and UESA National vice-president Marco Shmerykowsky. Mr. Boretsky wished all the guests an enjoyable and a pleasant evening. Finally, Mr. Boretsky introduced the evening's master of ceremonies - Mr. Nestor Kyzymyshyn.

After the formal opening, the dinner-banquet began with the invocation delivered by Father John Tsurpita. Upon the conclusion of dinner, the program continued with the presentation of ten debutantes and their escorts. The debutantes and their escorts were: Natalie Olga Antoniak with escort Erik Rizanow, Sophia Ulana Bilynsky with escort Christopher Rizanow, Aleksandra Marie Wolchasty with escort Alexander Knihnytsky, Taisa Nina Hewka with escort Oles Miecyjak, Khristina Katherine Dukh with escort Stephan Drabyk, Roxanne Zalucky with escort Dmytro Hrytsiv, Dianna Iwaskiw with escort Hryhorij Kotsko, Kateryna Maria Olchowecky with escort Nicholas Evangelist, Andrea Maria Fylypovych with escort Tymotej Andersen, and Ivanka Hovhera with escort Andrij Harasewych.

The debutantes and their escorts were formally greeted by Mr. Boretsky and introduced by master of ceremonies Nestor Kyzymyshyn and Olenka Karpinych, respectively. Mr. Boretsky congratulated each debutante personally and pinned ribbons on them with the assistance of Zirka Kyzymyshyn and Maria Cyhan. Ms. Cyhan, Nilya Pawluk, Slawa Halaway, and Chrystyna Hud prepared the debutantes for the presentation ceremony.

As part of the presentation ceremony Mr. M. Boretsky formally greeted the debutantes on behalf of the Philadelphia Chapter and Metropolitan-Archbishop Stephan Soroka. The Consul General of Ukraine to the United States Serhij Pohoreltsev delivered his own greeting and on behalf of Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, his Excellency M.B Reznick.

At this point of the event the "Voloshky" Dance Ensemble performed several Ukrainian dances to the delight of the audience. Mr. Andrij Wowk also delivered a short speech on behalf of the Executive Board of UESA. The dance program continued until 2:00 AM. Approximately 400 people attended the dinner and more than 600 enjoyed the dance afterwards.

The committee that organized the 2004 Engineers' Ball was composed of Metodij Boretsky as chairman, Petro Hewka, Larissa Zaika, Martha Shyprykevych, Ihor Kowaliw, Alexander Jarymovych, Wolodymyr Horbowyj, Myron Bilas, Mychajlo Komanowsky and Wolodymyr Kuzyk. The Ball Committee was also assisted by N. Smolynets, M. Nestor, V. and L. Babyak, I. and O. Slotylo and M. Diak.