72nd Annual Kosciuszko Foundation Dinner & Ball On April 28 at Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom Proves Huge Success Over 500 Guests Enjoy Lavish Evening of Dining & Dancing

For the 72nd time the Kosciuszko Foundation hosted an elegant dinner and ball, in support of its Polish-American educational and cultural programs. More than 500 guests from all over the United States and from Poland, enjoyed a lavish evening replete with music, dancing and fine dining in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria on Saturday, April 28, 2007. Five young ladies, under the watchful guidance of Debutante Patroness Mrs. Geraldine Grabowski, escorted by West Point Cadets and before proud parents, family and friends, were presented to society at the Ball. The evening is the preeminent social event in the Polish-American community. It is also the primary fund-raising event for the Kosciuszko Foundation, directly supporting its educational and cultural exchanges and programs.

The five debutantes presented were Miss Alyssa Rose D’Alessandro, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene and Rose D’Alessandro of West Orange, NJ; Miss Marissa Goba, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Janyce Nareski Goba of South Walpole, MA; Miss Alice Moszczynski, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Antoni Moszczynski of Madison, NJ; Miss Olenka Szynwelski, daughter of Mrs. Kazia Bazarnik Szynewski of Metuchen, NJ, and Miss Josephine Carmel Walentowicz, daughter of Mr. Henry Walentowicz and Dr. Josephine Jasper of Montville and Towaco, NJ. A high point of the evening was the Debutante Cotillion, in which the young women were escorted by cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and heralded by the Fanfare Squadron from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. At the conclusion of the Presentation, the debutantes, honored guests and dignitaries led the entire assemblage in the historic and stately Polonaise.

Established as an American Center for Polish Culture in 1925, the Kosciuszko Foundation is the premiere American organization promoting understanding and friendship between the peoples of Poland and the United States through educational, scientific and cultural exchanges. The Foundation awards more than one million dollars each year in fellowships and grants to some 200 graduate students, scholars, scientists, professionals and artists. It also showcases Polish culture in America through exhibits, publications, film festivals, documentaries, performances, concerts and recitals in its seven Chapters in the United States.

This year’s Ball and Debutante Presentation was one of the most successful fundraising events in support of the Foundation’s programs to date. The Souvenir Journal included greetings from President George W. Bush and Polish President Lech Kaczynski, as well as New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senators Schumer and Clinton and other local politicians.

Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Janina Boral of Hackensack, New Jersey, served as Chairpersons of the evening. Dr. and Mrs. Boral met at the Ball 35 years earlier and on this evening celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. Mrs. Wanda Tomczykowska, Founder and President Emeritus of the Polish Arts and Culture Foundation in San Francisco, California was awarded the Kosciuszko Foundation Medal of Recognition. Her daughter, Ms. Caria Tomczykowska, current President of the Foundation, was a guest of Honor at the Ball and accepted the award on behalf of her mother who has retired to Poland. Mrs. Geraldine Grabowski of Fishkill, New York, was Debutante Patroness; she was herself presented at this Ball 45 years earlier and had presented her own daughters in the 1990s.

In addition to the presentation of the debutantes, the evening was full of entertainment: the Anthony Tabish Orchestra provided music for dancing, and the Polish American Folk Dance Company performed three pieces: the traditional Krakowiak, a sultry Tango and the elegant Polonaise that included guests at the Ball. Bass-baritone Walerian Ruminski, a former winner of the Foundation’s Marcella Sembrich Vocal Competition, also performed several songs, including the perennial favorite, “New York, New York.”

At midnight, Foundation Trustee Mark Peszko, Esq., assisted by Mrs. Jadzia Barwick, member of the National Advisory Council drew the winning tickets in the annual raffle. The first prize of $5,000 was won by Mr. Fred Czulada, of Brooklyn, NY.

The 2007 Ball celebrated the works of noted Polish artist Wladyslaw Theodor Benda (1873-1948). Two works were reproduced as decorative elements in the Ballroom. Benda’s daughter, Mrs. Eleanora Benda Shimler was a guest of honor. In Mrs. Shimler’s absence, due to frail health, her daughter, Mrs. Ann Taylor attended the Ball. W. T. Benda was a prolific artist and illustrator who joined the romantic tradition of Polish 19th century painting with his own exotic sensibility. He was, in effect, artist-in-residence for the Kosciuszko Foundation, creating its Ex-Libris and promotional graphics, as well as the striking cover designs for the Ball journals. His output also embraced the craft of mask making, which he raised to an art form; several of his masks can be seen at the Foundation’s East 65th Street townhouse.

April 2007
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