Meet This Year's Debutantes
Klaudia Jakuszewski
Klaudia Jakuszewski is currently a junior at Lane Tech College Prep High School where she is a dedicated and academically driven student enrolled in both Honors and Academic Placement courses. She has a strong interest in mathematics and science and aspires to pursue a career in the medical field. Klaudia maintains a deep connection to her Polish heritage, having graduated at the top of her class from St. Ferdinand Polish School. In addition to her academic accomplishments, she has been an active member of the religious youth group at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church for the past five years and has participated in the Polish church choir at St. Ferdinand for seven years. She is currently in her third year with the “Wici” Song and Dance Theater, an experience that has become one of her greatest passions. Through “Wici,” Klaudia has discovered new opportunities to explore different cultures around the world and learn about Polish organizations such as the Legion of Young Polish Women. Her group has already performed internationally, including trips to Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria where she participated in her first international festival. Klaudia is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of her parents throughout her journey. She is honored to be part of this extraordinary experience with the Legion of Young Polish Women and is excited to be a 2026 debutante!
Julia Kalinowski
Julia Kalinowski is a first-generation college student studying criminal justice at the College of Dupage. She is a 2020 graduate of Schaumburg High School where she received her Seal of Biliteracy in the Polish language. Julia developed her knowledge of the Polish language and culture at Emilia Plater Polish School from preschool to 8th grade. She then completed her high school career at Akademia Języka Polskiego i Kultury in. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego. Though born in America, her heart still beats white and red for Poland. Julia has been dancing and singing for 17 years in Polish folk-dance groups. She started her folk-dance career in Polania Dance Ensemble and then in Whisper Center for Artistic Expression. She has been dancing in Polonia Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble under the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America for the past five years. Julia plans to get certified in Polish folk-dance choreography at Uniwersytet Rzeszowski to be able to teach younger groups the dances for which she has loved and cared about for so many years. In her free time, Julia is an avid reader of a wide variety of books. She is overjoyed and honored to be a debutante this season!
Paula Kowalczyk
Paula Kowalczyk, a first-generation Polish American, is a 17-year-old high honors student at New Trier Township High School. She is actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including New Trier’s Varsity Sailing Team and the Polish Club, where she has been president for the past two years. Additionally, Paula serves as Community Outreach Chair of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Junior Board, connecting high school volunteers with families and community partners. Her commitment to her Polish heritage has been further enriched by many years of dancing with the Polonia Polish Folk Song & Dance Ensemble. In addition to her school and community involvement, Paula organized the first Walk for Alopecia in Chicago, raising over $30,000 for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. She continues to advocate as a Teen Advocacy Fellow, meeting with members of Congress to raise awareness for alopecia areata. Paula’s dedication to service extends to her church communities as well; she is an active member of the youth ministries at both Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church—where she serves as a small group leader—and Grace Presbyterian Church, where she’s part of the Student Ministry Team and assists weekly with the Grace Kids program. These experiences have collectively shaped her aspiration to become a Child Life Specialist, providing psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families during hospitalization. Raised in a Polish household, Paula began learning the Polish language at a young age and developed a deep appreciation for her heritage. In 2025, she passed her Matura exam and graduated from Akademia Języka Polskiego dla Dzieci i Młodzieży. Having attended the White and Red Ball annually since the age of five, Paula is honored to be a debutante this year. She is thrilled to be supporting the Legion of Young Polish Women and its philanthropic mission.
Liliana Moore
Liliana Moore is a junior at Glenbrook North High School, where she demonstrates a strong academic aptitude, particularly in the sciences. A dedicated student-athlete, Liliana is a varsity field hockey player and a member of the school’s soccer team. She also plays club soccer with FC-1 Academy. Beyond athletics, Liliana is actively involved in extracurricular activities. She is a board member of Girl Up, a women’s empowerment club, and participates in Young Life, a Christian youth group that deepens her faith and sense of community. She also works at the Christkindlmarket for an ornament company that has deep ties to Poland’s renowned glassblowing and hand-painted traditions, taking pride in her heritage through this role. With aspirations to become a physical therapist, Liliana plans to major in biology with an emphasis in kinesiology. She is driven by her passion for science, her active lifestyle, and her desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Proud of her Polish heritage, Liliana is honored to join the Legion of Young Polish Women as a way to connect more deeply with her cultural roots. Introduced to the organization by her babcia, Halina Bielowicz, she was inspired after attending her first White and Red Ball. Liliana is also thrilled to be following in the footsteps of her mother, who was a debutante and crowned Queen of the Ball in 1994. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a debutante, viewing it as a meaningful milestone in both her personal growth and cultural journey.
Kinga Pawlikowska-Tamulis
Kinga Pawlikowska-Tamulis is a junior at Trinity High School in River Forest, studying for an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. An ambitious and engaged student, awarded with the Blazer of the Month distinction, she is also an officer of the Book Club - cultivating her love for literature, the Liturgy Planning Committee - growing her faith, and the Environmental Club - caring for the Earth and battling pollution. Kinga is fluent in Polish and Lithuanian and active in both communities, cultivating the traditions of her parents' cultures. She attends Polish school of the 7th Kosciuszko Squadron Polish School at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, where she is an officer on the Student Council. Scouting is a multigeneration family tradition and Kinga has been in the Polish Scouting Organization (Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego) since the age of four. She is the current troop leader of Granie Górskie Girl Guide Troop and a member of Młody Las Explorer Guide Troop. She dances in the oldest Polish ensemble in Chicago, Lechici, and enjoys learning traditional Polish dances and songs. Additionally, she is a Sunday lector at the Polish Jesuit Millennium Center. Kinga attended Maironis Lithuanian School for eleven years, and currently works there as a teacher's assistant after graduating last year. She has sung in Lithuanian choirs since childhood, currently as a member of Dainava, and participated in Lithuanian Song Festivals, in Lithuania the United States. Kinga is excited to be a debutante and to be able to contribute to the Legion of Young Polish Women's many good works.
Victoria Szymocha
Victoria Szymocha is a 17-year-old senior at Glenbrook North High School. She challenges herself with Honors classes and enjoys being involved in school life. Since preschool, she has attended the Polish School of Juliusza Słowackiego, where she proudly graduated in May of 2025. Over the years, she studied Polish history, literature, grammar, and geography, which, along with celebrating every holiday with her family, has given her a strong pride in her heritage and a lasting connection to her culture. Victoria has always loved staying active and being part of a team. She figure skated for seven years, tried ballet and tennis, and now plays on her school’s varsity lacrosse team. She also gained leadership experience as a counselor at Camp Vista in Wisconsin, where she looked after younger children and served as a mentor and role model. Travel has also played an important role in her life. She has been fortunate to explore different parts of the world, but visiting Poland has been the most meaningful, as every trip there strengthens her connection to her culture. Her Catholic faith and family traditions also play an important role in her life, helping her stay grounded and connected to her values. At school, she is a member of the Med Club and PAWS Club, reflecting her passion for science, animals, and helping others. Looking ahead, she plans to study medicine at Loyola University Chicago, where she planss to continue caring for others and making a difference in her community. Victoria is her family’s first debutante, and she hopes to inspire other Polish girls to embrace and celebrate their beautiful culture.
Léa Suzanne Maria Wilhelmsen
Léa Wilhelmsen is an enthusiastic senior at Highland Park High School, where she has been involved in every aspect of high school life. Her commitment to her education and passion for caring for her fellow students is reflected in her involvement in student council and as a Link Crew Leader. Leading groups of new students by supporting them on campus, has enabled Léa to excel in her leadership and management skills, and shehas become a well known and welcoming leader within her high school community. In addition to balancing her academics and many school activities, Léa is a talented three sport varsity athlete, playing both volleyball and basketball, and running track, all while playing club travel volleyball, leading her to aspire to play volleyball at the collegiate level in the fall. Léa follows in the footsteps of her beloved grandmother, Dr. Geraldine Balut Coleman, who Léa has grown up watching dedicate her time to Chicago Polish community philanthropic activities, including the Legion of Young Polish Women, The Polish Museum of America, The Polish Arts Club, and the Loyola Academy Polish Club. Léa is grateful to have been witness to her grandmother’s efforts, and feels fortunate to have had an upbringing full of rich Balut and Bielski family history. Celebrating her Polish heritage as a Legion of Young Polish Women Debutante, Léa will carry on these Polish traditions and be part of the next generation dedicating her time to these amazing Polish organizations.
Karolina Wojcik
Karolina Wojcik is a junior at Loyola Academy in Wilmette where she stands out as a first-generation Polish-American student in her family. She pursues a rigorous academic path in solely Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Her commitment to academic excellence reflects her personal ambition, deep sense of responsibility to her family's legacy, and gratefulness for their sacrifices so that she can reach her fullest potential. Karolina volunteers in her community by being a part of service groups, where she dedicates time to help those in need. Her volunteering has led to the aspiration of becoming a doctor in the future. At Loyola, Karolina is a member of many extracurricular activities including Medical Club, DECA business club, Polish Club, Women and Men for Others Club, and Misericordia Club. She is also a dedicated swimmer on the Rambler swim team. She is completing her last year of high school at Maksymilian Marii Kolbe Polish School where she learns about her culture, geography, and history. Her family takes annual trips to Poland where she enjoys taking part in traditions and staying close to her Polish roots. During her free time, Karolina loves horseback riding where she is able to relax, connect with nature, and hone in on her passion. Karolina is extremely excited to be a debutante at this year's White and Red Ball! This will be a significant milestone and learning experience that she is excited to carry on in her bright future.
Emilia Wrona
Emilia Wrona is a 17-year-old senior at Buffalo Grove High School, where she takes both AP and honors classes. She is a varsity tennis athlete and an active member of the school’s Polish Club. For the past 15 years, Emilia has attended Fryderyk Chopin Polish School, where she has developed strong Polish language skills and gained a deep understanding of Polish history, geography, and culture. She earned the Polish Language Certificate issued by the Republic of Poland, reflecting her dedication to preserving her heritage and bilingual fluency. Emilia was also a member of WICI Song and Dance for 9 years. WICI is a Polish traditional dance group that allowed her to celebrate Polish culture through singing and performance. In addition, she was involved in the Polish Scouts of America for 10 years, which has helped shape her sense of responsibility, teamwork, and leadership while strengthening her connection to Polish traditions and values. She also participates in leadership camps in Pennsylvania, where she focuses on building confidence, developing leadership skills, and forming meaningful connections. She has a passion for art and enjoys playing tennis in her free time. Fluent in Polish, Emilia values being bilingual as a way to honor her family’s traditions. Her favorite subject is business, and she plans to pursue a degree in business after high school, hoping to combine her academic interests with her creativity. Emilia is proud of her Polish heritage and looks forward to continuing her involvement in the Polish community. She is honored to be part of this experience and excited to create lasting memories and lifelong friendships.