About Us
Our Youth Ambassadors for 2025
Meet Bohdan Deneka and Mya Spewak.
Each are uniquely involved in the Ukrainian Community in Manitoba as well as long standing volunteers at the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion,
Bohdan is a recent graduate of Garden City Collegiate, where he stood out as a high-achieving student known for balancing academic excellence with a deep commitment to volunteerism and community service.
A proud member of the Ukrainian community, Bohdan has been involved with PLAST Ukrainian Youth Association since 2013. Each summer, he gives back by serving as a counselor at PLAST camps, helping to mentor and inspire the next generation of Ukrainian youth. His dedication to culture and community also extends to the Folklorama stage—Bohdan has been a familiar and reliable face at the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion, where he’s volunteered for several years in the busy food service line.
Bohdan's passion for helping others was also reflected in his recent work with the Ukrainian National Federation, where he played a meaningful role in supporting newly arrived Ukrainians as they settled into life in Manitoba.
This fall, Bohdan will begin his post-secondary journey in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba. His leadership, compassion, and dedication to both education and culture make him an inspiring representative of the Pavilion and a strong voice for youth in the Ukrainian community.
Mya, a proud student at Miles Macdonell Collegiate, is currently in Grade 11 and consistently shines on the honour roll. She’s an enthusiastic member of her school community, contributing her energy and creativity to the yearbook committee, cross-country team, and the spirited cheer and dance teams.
Deeply connected to her Ukrainian heritage, Mya is a dedicated dancer with the Rusalka UNF School of Dance, where she not only performs but also helps behind the scenes with costume organization. Her passion for culture and community doesn’t stop there—Mya has been an active part of the Kyiv Pavilion since childhood, taking on a wide range of roles including performer, member of the tidy team, food server, and volunteer support in the food line.
Beyond the Pavilion, Mya continues to give back year-round. She volunteers with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), supports various cultural events, serves as a camp counsellor at Ukrainian Park Children's Camp, and teaches catechism at St. Anne’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.
When she’s not volunteering or dancing, Mya loves experimenting in the kitchen—especially when it comes to baking and crafting her own delicious recipes. Her creativity, commitment, and vibrant spirit make her a standout representative of the Ukrainian community at Folklorama.
Our Adult Ambassadors for 2025
Meet Alexander Karpa and Tetiana Bezhenar
Both are deeply rooted in the Ukrainian community, contributing in their own unique ways both at home and abroad, including a dedication to volunteer at the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion and in the wider Ukrainian community beyond Manitoba.
A lifelong member of the Ukrainian community, Alexander's passion for culture, music, and storytelling runs deep.
After more than a decade of captivating audiences with the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Alexander recently hung up his dance boots—but not before traveling the world with the group, including a memorable tour to Ukraine in 2019. His time with Rusalka was more than just performance—it was family. He had the unique joy of dancing alongside his sister Orycia and mother Shelley, and it’s also where he met his fiancée, Kathryn Kuzyk.
Alexander now channels his love for Ukrainian music through song as a proud member of the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus, performing alongside his father, Dr. Mark Karpa. You can also catch him energizing crowds as a musician with the Ukrainian polka band Budmo, playing at festivals and events across Manitoba and Canada.
Beyond the stage, Alexander brings stories to life as a journalist. Currently a reporter for CTV National News in Manitoba, he began this role in October 2024 after previously working with CityNews Winnipeg.
Alexander is incredibly proud to serve as the 2025 Adult Ambassador for the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion. He’s excited to celebrate, share, and honour his Ukrainian heritage with everyone at this year’s Folklorama. See you there!
Originally from the charming town of Sniatyn in Western Ukraine, Tetiana brought her heart for culture and community with her when she arrived in Winnipeg in 2023. Since then, she has quickly become a passionate and dedicated contributor to the local Ukrainian community.
Tetiana first joined the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion as a volunteer, where she welcomed guests as part of the general admissions and marketplace team. Her warm spirit and enthusiasm continue to shine through her involvement with the Ukrainian National Federation, where she actively supports newcomers and community events across Manitoba.
A proud member of the O. Koshetz Choir, Tetiana brings Ukrainian culture to life through music and song, sharing her love for her homeland with every performance.
Tetiana also carries her cultural pride into the classroom. Formerly a French teacher in Ukraine, she now teaches both French and Ukrainian at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Winnipeg. Her lessons are rich with tradition—students might even get a taste of her favorite dish, borscht, as she weaves Ukrainian customs into her teaching.
Tetiana is honored to serve as the 2025 Adult Ambassador for the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion. With every song, story, and smile, she proudly represents the vibrant heart of her heritage at this year’s Folklorama.
Previous Years Ambassadors
Having a moment of nostalgia? Go back a short time in history and visit with some of our past Ambassadors.