The annual Svoboda Ukrainian Dance Festival, held this year at the Dekker Centre in North Battleford April 26 to 28 attracted dance organizations from through Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Rushnychok Dancers from Saskatoon, Saskatoon School of Dance, Tavria School of Ukrainian Dance from Regina, St. Paul Desna Ukrainian Dancers from St. Paul, Alta.,Malanka Dancers and Rodyna Ukrainian Dancers of Lloydminster, Rosthern Ukrainian Dance Association, Cudworth Ukrainian Dance, Sopilka School of Ukrainian Dance of Vegreville, Alta. and Two Hills Ukrainian Dancers from Two Hills, Alta.
Local dancers fared well, with a number of Svoboda dancers and dancers from the Hafford Cheremka Dancers earning awards and scholarships.
Earning Adjudicator Awards were Natalya Shevchuk of Svoboda (Youth Dance Ambassador Award) and Svoboda's Hopak Mixed Large Group, 15-16 years (eight-way tie with a mark of 95 for Highest Mark in the Festival).
Solo Awards
From Svoboda:
Highest Mark, Male Volyn, Any Age, also Male National, 17-18 years, also Highest Mark to a Svoboda Male Dancer, Open, Any Age - Mitchell Bristow;
Female National, 13-14 years, also Highest Mark to a Svoboda Female Dancer, Open, Any Age - Natalya Shevchuk;
Female National, 17-18 years - a tie, Alicia Hydukewich and Bethany McQuaid;
Male National, 11-12 years - Corey Koliniak;
Promising Female National, 12 and under - Brooklyn Lesko;
Promising Female Svoboda Dancer, Open, 12 and under - Marusia Shevchuk;
Promising Female Svoboda Dancer, Open, 13 and under - Drew Beavers;
Promising Male Svoboda Dancer, Open, 12 and under - Ethan Koliniak;
Promising Male Svoboda Dancer, Open, 13 and under - Brandon Klima;
Promising Female Svoboda Dancer, Open, Any Age - Kaitlin Friesen;
Promising Male Svoboda Dancer, Open, Any Age - Matthew Muzyka.
From Hafford Cheremka Dancers:
Highest Mark, Male Hutsul, Any Age - Mitchell Tanchak;
Male National, 9-10 years - Mitchell Tanchak (tied);
Male National, 13-14 years - Joseph Tanchak.
Duet Awards
From Svoboda:
Highest Mark, Female National, 12 and under, also Highest Mark, Female National, 11-12 years, also Highest Mark, Svoboda Dancers, Open, Any Age - Marusia Shevchuk and Natalya Shevchuk;
Highest Mark, Female National, 15-16 years - Kaitlin Friesen and Alissa Roche;
Highest Mark, Female National, 17 and over, also Highest Mark, Female Hutsul, 13 and over - Alicia Hydukewich and Bethany McQuaid;
Highest Mark, Male National, 9-10 years - Corey Koliniak and Ethan Koliniak;
Highest Mark, Mixed National, 15-16 years - Mitchell Bristow and Kaylin Nahirney;
Highest Mark, Mixed National, 17 and over - Mitchell Bristow and Taylor Cave;
Most Promising, Female Open, Any Age - Spencer Szeto and Rachel Zanyk;
Highest Mark, Mixed Open, Any Age, also Highest Mark, Svoboda Dancers, Open, Any Age, also Most Promising, Svoboda Dancers, Mixed National, Any Age - Mitchell Bristow and Taylor Cave;
From Hafford Cheremka Dancers:
Highest Mark, Female National, 9-10 years, also Highest Mark, Female Hutsul, 12 and under - Kristen Welke and Courtney Yasieniuk;
Group Awards
Svoboda earned four small group awards and four large group awards plus a group trophy.
