PRCUA: Official News Release

(Photos) The M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group of the PRCUA held its annual Cinderella-Prince Charming Ball at the Lexington House in Hickory Hills, IL, on November 21, 2009. This elegant event has been a time honored tradition for over 38 years, and this year brought the presentation of 42 Candidates and the attendance of over 500 guests. The energy and excitement of the evening was felt from the moment one stepped through the doors of the Lexington House. The Candidates could not wait for the evening to begin.

The Emcees, Danielle Kroplewski and Tom Frankowicz, officially began the lovely evening by welcoming guests to the Ball. This was followed by the promenade of the PRCUA Officers and Directors, M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group Officers and members, His Excellency Bishop Thomas Paprocki, Auxiliary Bishop of the Chicago Archdiocese, Rev. Wojciech Baryski, S. Ch., Candidates, Past Candidates, and the 2009 Cinderella Natalie Paprocki and 2009 Prince Charming Matthew Skrzypiec.

As is the tradition at Polish Balls, the Ball was opened with the Candidates dancing a graceful Polonaise. After this, Renee Bober led the singing of the Polish and American National Anthems. The 2009 royal couple then gave their greetings and farewell addresses, followed by Bishop Paprocki giving the Invocation and Edward Muszalski, President of the M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group, proposing a toast.

After enjoying a delicious dinner, Rev. Wojciech Baryski, S. Ch., Pastor of Five Holy Martyrs Parish, gave the Benediction. The program began with the traditional presentation of the Candidates. As the Candidates were individually presented by their parents, 2008 Cinderella Elizabeth Kopinski and 2008 Prince Charming David Lyzbicki shared the Candidates' accomplishments with all. Many of the Candidates are honor students, active members of various school organizations and sports teams. In their biographies, Candidates were proud to note their affiliation with PRCUA dance groups and Polish schools. All candidates are PRCUA members and excellent representatives of their Polish-American heritage.

After the presentation, the handsomely attired young men in black tuxedos and young women, dressed in white floor-length gowns, danced a beautiful waltz choreographed by Misia Jaminski with musical arrangements by Richard Jaminski. The audience watched in amazement as the 42 candidates glided across the floor, making intricate patterns with their movements. The dancers were flawless and the choreography breathtaking. The maturity and grace that these Candidates showed was awesome. The M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group, which hosts the Ball each year, was very honored to see that the maturity, dedication, confidence and friendships developed during the preparation for the Ball showed throughout the evening.

The highlight of the Ball was the drawing of the new Cinderella and Prince Charming. This was the first year when 2nd Runner-Up for Cinderella and Prince Charming were chosen, as well as 1st Runner-Ups, which enabled the M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group to give larger scholarships to two additional Candidates. Bishop Thomas Paprocki blessed the crowns and the lottery drawing for the winners was conducted by the National President of PRCUA, Wallace M. Ozog, and Resident Vice President of PRCUA, Anna Sokolowski.

The 2nd Runner-Ups for 2010 are Monica Marszalik and Christopher Gumienny; the 1st Runners-Up are Cynthia Avila and Daniel Skiwrut and PRCUA's new royal couple for 2010 are Cinderella Maria Alexandra Tkacz and Prince Charming Marcin Mark Burdzy.

The 2010 royal couple made their promenade. Then each of the Candidates danced a waltz with one of their parents - creating a heartfelt memory that will last for their lifetime. The Ball continued with dancing and photo sessions.

Cinderella and Prince Charming, the Runner-Ups and each of the Candidates receive scholarships in varying amounts from the PRCUA M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group. Funds for these scholarships are provided from monies raised through the Ball and their Annual Fashion Show, which will be held this year on March 7, 2010 (See page 2 for more details.) Cinderella and Prince Charming received the largest scholarships and they will represent the PRCUA at various Polish-American events throughout the year. If they are not available to perform their duties, the Runner-Ups are called upon to stand in for them. Congratulations are extended to all of the Candidates and their parents for participating in a wonderful tradition and memorable evening.

The foundress of the Ball was the late Regina Ocwieja, Past Resident Vice President of the PRCUA. It was her dream to promote Polish heritage among today's youth and this dream lives on, 38 years later, through all the dedication of everyone who made the 2010 Cinderella-Prince Charming Ball such an exquisite night to remember. Thank you to everyone who took part in making the Ball an elegant and enjoyable experience.

Outgoing 2009 Cinderella Natalia Anna Paprocki of Bridgeview, IL, 15, is the daughter of Danuta and the late Richard Paprocki. She is a sophomore at Argo Community HS. She danced with Southwest Center of Polish Dancing (SWCPD), is in Maria Konopnicka Polish High School (MKPHS) and a member of Wesoly Lud.

Outgoing 2009 Prince Charming Matthew Skrzypiec, 16, of Orland Park, IL is the son of Gregory and Barbara Skrzypiec and a junior at Lockport Twp. HS. His father was Prince in 1984 and his mother was a Candidate. He danced with SWCPD and Polanie Dancers. 2010 Cinderella Maria Tkacz, 17, of Chicago, IL is the daughter of Andrzej and Joanna Tkacz and a senior at Whitney M. Young Magnet HS, where she is on the high honor roll and in the National Honor Society. Maria is President of the Polish Club, a member of the Book Club, Build On, and Habitat for Humanity. She plans to attend college and major in Biology. She is a graduate of the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish High School, danced with SWCPD and has been a member of the Wesoly Lud.

2010 Prince Charming Marcin Burdzy, 14, of Chicago, IL is the son of Marek and Elzbieta Burdzy and a freshman at Jones College Prep HS where he is on the honor roll. He plays the piano in the school orchestra and is in his final year at the St. Blaze Polish Grammar School. He attended SWCPD and is a member of the PRCUA Wesoly Lud.

Other Candidates included: 2010 First Runner-Up Cynthia Avila, 15, of Chicago, IL is the daughter of Salvador and Halina Avila and a sophomore at Francis W. Parker School. She attended SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Kathryn Avila, 17, of Chicago, IL is the daughter of Salvador and Halina Avila and a senior at Francis W. Parker School. She danced at SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Natalia Balenda, 14, of Oak Lawn, IL is the daughter of Boguslaw and Teresa Balenda and a freshman at Oak Lawn Community HS. She attends MKPHS, danced at SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Katherine Bialas, 16, of Oak Lawn, IL is the daughter of Lucyna and the late Krzysztof Bialas. She is a sophomore at Oak Lawn Community HS and attends MKPHS, danced with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Jaclyn Chojna, 16, of Orland Park, IL is the daughter of Wesley and Dorothy Chojna and a sophomore at Carl Sandburg HS. She attended the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish Grammar School (KSPGS) and SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Camilla Chorzepa, 17, of Burbank, IL is the daughter of Piotr and Halina Chorzepa and a senior at Queen of Peace HS. She graduated from MKPHS, danced with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Danielle Crouchelli, 17, of Burr Ridge, IL is the daughter of Michael and Veronica Crouchelli and a senior at Lyons Twp. HS. She attended MKPHS, SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Morgan Damiecki, 16, of Chicago, IL is the daughter of Bozena Damiecki and a junior at Whitney Young Magnet HS. She is a graduate of MKPHS, danced with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Anna Dron, 17, of Summit, IL is the daughter of Stanislaw and Maria Dron and a senior at Queen of Peace HS. She danced at Hickory Hills Park District and Anna is a graduate of the MKPHS. Victoria Gavaghan, 16, of Orland Park, IL is the daughter of Brian and Irena Gavaghan and a junior at Carl Sandburg HS. She attends John Paul II Polish High School (JP2PHS), danced with SWCPD, Polanie Dancers and is in Wesoly Lud. Joanna Gorczyca, 15, of Homer Glen, IL is the daughter of Kazimierz and Ewa Gorczyca and a sophomore at Lockport Twp. HS. She is a graduate of MKPHS, attended SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Bernadette Grabowski, 14, of Munster, IN is the daughter of Konrad and Elizabeth Grabowski and a freshman at Munster HS. She attends Rafal Kalinowski Polish School (RKPS) and has danced with the school's Slask Dancers. Kamelia Habina, 17, of Worth, IL is the daughter of Zbigniew and Malgorzata Habina and a senior at Amos Alonzo Stagg HS. She is a graduate of MKPHS, danced with Polanie Dancers, SWCPD, and is in Wesoly Lud. Aleksandra Herdzik, 16, of Hickory Hills, IL is the daughter of Anna and the late Zbigniew Herdzik and a sophomore at Amos Alonzo Stagg HS. She attends MKPHS, attended SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Magdalena Hodurek, 15, of Lemont, IL is the daughter of Krzysztof and Stanislawa Hodurek and a sophomore at Lemont HS. She attends JP2PHS and danced with Polanie Dancers, Mountain Eagle Góralski Group and is in Wesoly Lud. Natalia Hodurek, 17, of Lemont, IL is the daughter of Krzysztof and Stanislawa Hodurek and a junior at Lemont HS. She attends JP2PHS, danced with Polanie Dancers and Mountain Eagle Góralski Group and is in Wesoly Lud. Sylvia Kupiec, 14, of Chicago, IL is daughter of Tadeusz and Barbara Kupiec and a sophomore at Queen of Peace HS. She is a graduate of MKPHS, danced at SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. 2nd Runner-Up Monica Marszalik, 16, of Romeoville, IL is the daughter of Janusz and Elzbieta Marszalik and a junior at Plainfield East HS. She attends JP2PHS, danced with Polanie Dancers and Kolko Plastyczne and is in Wesoly Lud. Ursula Marszalik, 16, of Romeoville, IL is the daughter of Janusz and Elzbieta Marszalik and a junior at Plainfield East HS. She attends JP2PHS, danced with Polanie Dancers and Kolko Plastyczne and is in Wesoly Lud. Nicole Mielnicki, 15, of Munster, IN is the daughter of Michael and Joanna Mielnicki and a freshman at Munster HS. She attended RKPS and danced with its Slask Dancers. Evelina Pabijanski, 14, of Burr Ridge, IL is the daughter of Henryk and Danuta Pabijanski and a freshman at Hinsdale South HS. She attends Pralat Stanislaw Cholewinski Polish Grammar School, danced at SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Kimberly Skrzypiec, 15, of Orland Park, IL is the daughter of Gregory and Barbara Skrzypiec and a freshman at Lockport Twp. HS. She danced with SWCPD, Polanie Dancers and Kalejdoskop Dancers. Gabriela Wnek, 16, of Plainfield, IL is the daughter of Stanislaw and Maria Wnek and a junior at Plainfield South HS. She attends HSPHS, danced with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Paulina Zdanowicz, 15, of Lemont, IL is the daughter of Wojciech and Joanna Zdanowicz and a sophomore at Lemont HS. She attends JP2HS, danced with Polanie Dancers and is in the Kalejdoskop Dance Group. Victoria Zupnik, 17, of Downers Grove, IL is the daughter of Christopher and Ursula Zupnik and a junior at Downers Grove South HS. She graduated from the JP2PGS and danced with the Polanie Dancers.

Male Candidates were: David Biala, 14, of Oak Lawn, IL is the son of Lucyna and the late Krzysztof Bialas and a freshman at Oak Lawn Comm. HS. He attends MKPHS, danced with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Daniel Bugajski, 14, of Bridgeview, IL is the son of Janusz and Maria Bugajski and a freshman at Argo Comm. HS. He attends MKPHS, dances with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Robert Bukowski, 16, of Chicago, IL is the son of Andrzej Bukowski and Mary Bukowski and a junior at Brother Rice HS. He belongs to the Varsity Water Polo Team, Croatian Club and the Fishing Club. Paul Cwyl, 14, of Orland Park, IL is the son of Robert and Renata Cwyl and a freshman at Carl Sandburg HS. He graduated from the Jan Brzechwa Polish Grammar School, danced with Polanie Dancers and is in the Kalejdoskop Dance Group. Timothy Eckert, 15, of Aurora, IL is the son of Thomas and Barbara Eckert and a freshman at Waubonsie Valley HS. His mother was a Candidate. Tim graduated from JP2GS, danced with Polanie Dancers and is in the Kalejdoskop Dance Group. Bartholomew Grabowski, 16, of Munster, IN is the son of Konrad and Elizabeth Grabowski and a sophomore at Munster HS. He attended RKPS and was a member of its Slask Dancers. 2nd Runner-Up Christopher Gumienny, 15, of Chicago, IL is the son of Eugene and Anna Gumienny and a sophomore at Jones College Prep HS. He attends MKPHS, danced with SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Alexander Hejna, 18, of Orland Park, IL is the son of Tadeusz and Lucyna Hejna and a senior at Carl Sandburg HS. He attended the JP2PS in Lemont. Kristopher Lyzbicki, 17, of Berwyn, IL, is the son of Lucy Lyzbicki and Patrick Lyzbicki and a senior at Morton West HS. He graduated from the HSPLGS, attended SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. David Pietraszek, 16, of Crown Point, IN is the son of Barbara Pietraszek and a junior at Andrean HS. He has been a member of the Slask Dancers. Kamil Rozwadowski, 15, of Romeoville, IL is the son of Andrzej and Krystyna Rozwadowski and a sophomore at Romeoville HS. He attends JP2HS, danced with Polanie Dancers and is in Wesoly Lud. 1st Runner-Up Daniel Skiwrut, 17, of Palos Park, IL is the son of Jerzy and Danuta Skiwrut and a senior at Amos Alonzo Stagg HS. He attended St. Fabian Polish Language School, danced at SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. David Skiwrut, 15, of Palos Park, IL is the son of Jerzy and Danuta Skiwrut and a sophomore at Amos Alonzo Stagg HS. He attended St. Fabian Polish School, danced at SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Alexander Tokarski, 15, of Orland Park, IL is the son of Andrew Tokarski and Christine Toczek and a sophomore at Carl Sandburg HS. He attended SWCPD for one year. Christopher Zawora,15, of Chicago, IL is the son of John and Bonnie Zawora and a sophomore at Whitney Young Magnet HS. His mother was Cinderella of 1975. He attended SWCPD and is in Wesoly Lud. Written by Elizabeth Dynowski

(See many more photos taken by PRCUA Resident Vice President Anna Sokolowski by clicking here.)