A Saint Xavier woman will make her debut at the 74th annual White and Red Ball on February 16 to benefit Polish culture and charities.
Kasia Maniak, a senior nursing major, is one of only seven women to receive the honor of being named a debutante by the Legion of Young Polish Women this year. “At first I was very shocked, but it’s a great honor. I’m so excited,” exclaims Maniak.
A “debutante” traditionally refers to a woman who makes her first formal entrance into society. In this case, The Legion of Young Polish Women holds a debutante ball every year for various charitable and cultural causes. Teresa Skawski, the Legion’s former president, says that the women are performing a “social duty” as debutantes.
As a debutante, Maniak is required to fundraise on the Legion’s behalf. The money raised is sent to help fund a number of Polish cultural organizations such as the Polish Museum of America, the Polish American Association and various Polish dance groups. Additional money is sent to fund orphanages in Poland and provide scholarships for Polish American students, as well as transfer students from Poland.
Maniak is also required to attend monthly tea parties leading up to the ball as well as take dance classes to learn the Waltz. Dance partners are provided for each debutante for the ball, which will be held at the Hilton’s Grand Ballroom in Chicago, though each woman has the option of bringing her own partner.
Being a debutante has several benefits according to Maniak. “You get a lot of attention from people and press, and you make a lot of important connections. It’s a great honor.”
Maniak was born in Krakow, Poland. After spending 13 years of her life there, she moved to the United States with her family. She says the hardest thing about moving was leaving all her friends behind and adapting to a new country and new people. Upon entering the U.S., she already had a firm grasp of the English language from having taken classes in Poland.
When asked to compare Americans to Poles, she laughed. “Poles see Americans as always happy and always saying hi to each other, while in Poland people are more distant.” She also made the comparison that Poles care more about the quality of their lives, while Americans seem to be more rushed.”
At Saint Xavier, Maniak is working on completing her nursing degree. She says her inspiration for becoming a nurse occurred in high school when she helped comfort and care for her pregnant teacher who had passed out during class. “I knew I wanted to help people every day after that,” she reveals.
The Legion of Young Polish Women has been choosing women like Maniak for 74 years to help it support Polish causes. It began in 1939 as an organization dedicated to sending food and clothing to Polish prisoners of war during World War II after the German invasion.
Former president Skawski praises Maniak saying “Kasia is an incredible person. She works a job, is a full time student and still finds time to be a debutante. This shows a person of great determination.”
For her part, Maniak is thrilled to be a debutante. “It will be one of the most beautiful memories that I’ll ever have.”
Tony Bara
Editor in Chief