2022 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen
The Other 2022 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Contestants
Nicole Buresh, representing the Nebraska Czechs of Dwight, modeled an Americanized Kroj that is purchased and performed a pom routine for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “A love in my childhood included growing up and getting introduced to my heritage and getting to know the food and special dancing. I think heritage is very important in the fact of making sure it keeps getting passed down from one generation to the next.”
Kaelin won the Heritage & Private Interview Awards
Kaelin Dickey, representing the Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln, modeled an Americanized kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performing an accordion solo of The Blue Skirt Waltz. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said said “My Czech heritage is important to me because it is part of my identity, I would not be who I am today without my Czech culture. It is important for me to learn about my ancestors and heritage so I am able to pass down traditions to my younger siblings and future family.”
Kaelin Dickey, representing the Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln, modeled an Americanized kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performing an accordion solo of The Blue Skirt Waltz. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said said “My Czech heritage is important to me because it is part of my identity, I would not be who I am today without my Czech culture. It is important for me to learn about my ancestors and heritage so I am able to pass down traditions to my younger siblings and future family.”
Emma Cerny
2022 Miss Nebraska Czech-Slovak Runner up
Emma also won the Miss Congeniality award.
Emma Cerny, representing the Nebraska Czechs of South Central, modeled an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performed an art display for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “When I reflect on the importance of my Czech heritage, I am forced to think throughout the years as I have grown. I grew up baking and eating kolace or duck/port roast with dumplings and sauerkraut, listening to polkas, and dancing with my dad or grandpa. I thought this was the best life and everyone did this. As I grew older I realized we were indeed special. I began to feel very proud as I talked about baking kolace, houska, and strudel for our festival.”
2022 Miss Nebraska Czech-Slovak Runner up
Emma also won the Miss Congeniality award.
Emma Cerny, representing the Nebraska Czechs of South Central, modeled an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performed an art display for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “When I reflect on the importance of my Czech heritage, I am forced to think throughout the years as I have grown. I grew up baking and eating kolace or duck/port roast with dumplings and sauerkraut, listening to polkas, and dancing with my dad or grandpa. I thought this was the best life and everyone did this. As I grew older I realized we were indeed special. I began to feel very proud as I talked about baking kolace, houska, and strudel for our festival.”
Greta Rosno
2022 Miss Nebraska Czech-Slovak
Greta who represented the Nebraska Czechs of Prague chapter also won the Oratory, Americanized Kroj, and Talent Awards.
Greta will be modeled an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performed a vocal solo, “Už Kamarádi”, for her talent. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “My who life revolved around my culture and who I am because of it. My culture played a major role in how I was raised and how I was involved, so much so that I thought everyone knew what koláče or kroje were. I thought everyone knew what polka music was and how to dance with it. I didn’t’ realize that all of these things I grew up knowing were only specific to my family and the communities involved with their heritage as well.”
2022 Miss Nebraska Czech-Slovak
Greta who represented the Nebraska Czechs of Prague chapter also won the Oratory, Americanized Kroj, and Talent Awards.
Greta will be modeled an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performed a vocal solo, “Už Kamarádi”, for her talent. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “My who life revolved around my culture and who I am because of it. My culture played a major role in how I was raised and how I was involved, so much so that I thought everyone knew what koláče or kroje were. I thought everyone knew what polka music was and how to dance with it. I didn’t’ realize that all of these things I grew up knowing were only specific to my family and the communities involved with their heritage as well.”
Alisha Vavra, representing the Nebraska Czechs of York, modeled an Americanized Kroj that is self made with assistance, and performed a vocal solo, the Pennsylvania Polka, for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “My Czech heritage is important to me because it is a huge part of who I am. Since I was crowned, I have learned so much about my heritage, ancestors, and traditions of my family. Learning about my heritage gave me renewed courage to dive deeper into my ancestry. The most important thing that I want to do for my future family is to be able to educate them on their heritage and how important it is to know about where your ancestors came from.”
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Amanda Horbach, representing the Nebraska Czechs of the Omaha Czech-Slovak Cultural Club, modeled an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performing an oral presentation on important Czech scientists for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “My heritage is part of who I am. It is very important to me because of the values and traditions passed onto me.”
Alexa Orf, representing the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber, will be modeling an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performed a series of polkas while playing piano, baritone, and trombone for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “My Slovak heritage is important to me because it is part of who I am. It is important for me to be close with my culture and represent it proudly.”
Gracelyn Baumert, representing the Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson, modeled an Americanized Kroj that is designed by self, made with assistance, and performed a tap dance to the Peanuts Polka for her talent in the 2022 pageant. When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage is important to her, she said “This is where a great majority of my family came from. Preserving my heritage is so important that way I can look back with my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sharing stories of those who passed before their time, even mine.”
