We are Proud American Czechs-Slovaks
The Nebraska Czechs, Inc. held their 47th annual Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen pageant in Clarkson, NE on June 20. Seven young ladies representing various chapters of the Nebraska Czechs were vying for the State crown. Each queen was judged in four categories; private interview, oratory, kroj (costume) and talent before a panel of four judges. The panel of judges included Eugene Askamit of Minnesota, Ken Janak, Jr., of Omaha, Marcia Schleglemilch of York and Ms. Sandy Ptak, the 2008 Miss Czech-Slovak US Queen from Anchorage, Alaska.
Candidates pictured left to right are:
Emily – Nebraska Czechs of South Central
Laura – Nebraska Czechs of Wilber
Rabecca – Nebraska Czechs of Prague
Stefanie – Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln
Emmy – Nebraska Czechs of Omaha Czech Cultural Club
Annie – Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson
Missy – Nebraska Czechs of York
Carrie – 2008 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen
The Nebraska Czechs, Inc. are proud to introduce
2009 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen
2009 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Stefanie
Stefanie won the private interview award, oratory award and best kroj award at our 47th Annual Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant.
For her talent, she sang in Czech while displaying past kroje that she has worn throughout her life and then playing The Blue Skirt Waltz on the button accordion.
Her parents are Bill & Deb from Lincoln and Stefanie represented the Nebraska Czech of Lincoln.
She is currently attending SCC at Milford with a major in business administration with an emphasis on technology.
Stefanie will represent the Nebraska Czechs, Inc. at the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in Wilber, NE in 2010.
When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Stefanie replied “I was raised to appreciate My Czech heritage to it has been an important part of my life since I was little. I think it’s important for everyone to learn about their heritage. If our ancestors hadn’t come to the United States we wouldn’t have many of the freedoms that we have today. I have learned a lot about myself in learning about my Czech heritage. I learned how important music and the Czech language were to people and how they clung to these things through the Communist years and through their journeys to new lands. I am trying to continue to carry on these traditions now by learning to play accordion, sing Czech, dancing and making wonderful Czech foods.”
See Stefanie’s blog: http://2009nebraskaczechslovakqueen.blogspot.com
2009 First Runner Up - Emmy
Emmy, representing the Nebraska Czechs of Omaha Czech Cultural Club was awarded the First Runner Up title.
For her talent she presented a story of a great Czech saint: St. John of Nepomuk and then she sang “Hail, St. John”.
Her parents are Bill & Bonnie from Bellevue, NE
In the fall, Emmy will be attending Iowa West Community College where she hopes to earn a paramedics license.
She hopes to work as a paramedic or as a part of the Omaha Fire & Rescue Department.
When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Emmy replied “The love I have for my Czech
heritage has been instilled in me from as far back as I can remember. The traditions my family has preserved, like our extended family baking Houska to give as gifts at Christmas time and baking kolace for our church’s Czech festival, are wonderful memories. I feel proud to continue to carry on what my family has taught me”.
Best Talent & Miss Congeniality
Missy, representing the Nebraska Czechs of York was awarded the Best Talent title, and Miss Congeniality Award.
For her talent she did a clogging routine while wearing her Grandmother’s polka vest and skirt from the “Milligan Polka Boosters”.
Her parents are Gary & Crystal from McCool Junction
She is currently attending UNL to become a registered dietitian, with a minor in Psychology.
When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Missy replied “I feel that if we do not celebrate
or preserve our heritage, then the Czech culture and traditions will be lost. My ancestors made great sacrifices on their
journey to America, so I’m hoping the stories will be passed on to my kids and grandkids, for many generations”.
Annie represents the Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson.
For her talent she did a piano solo playing her favorite song “The Blue Skirt Waltz”
Her parents are Rob & Sue of Clarkson.
Annie will attend Wayne State College and then will attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. She hopes to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene.
When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Annie replied “My Czech heritage is important to me
because it defines the person that I have grown to be. My family has focused their lives around the two most important aspects of our society; family and God. Family and God have become the focal point because as my ancestors immigrated to the United States, they had very little personal items to give their children, but they did the best they could by providing the best future possible for their children. I will always appreciate their great sacrifice to leave everything they knew behind, and their exceeding ambition to incorporate their Czech culture into the diverse American society. Because of this, I am able to celebrate and promote my family’s heritage today as the Clarkson Czech-Slovak Queen. My Czech heritage is a constant influence in my community because my Great-great grandfathers devoted much time and effort to build Ss. Cyril & Methodious Catholic Church, the New Zion Presbyterian Church, surrounding area churches, and the buildings of downtown Clarkson.
Through these establishments, they showed their love for the future generations that would reside in the Clarkson area. Their ability to do so creates a strong feeling of pride for my Czech heritage. My Czech heritage has taught me the importance of: following the path that God has laid before me, keeping a strong and healthy family unit, and to do whatever is required of me to ensure the health and prosperity of others”.
Emily represents the Nebraska Czechs of South Central.
For her talent she did an oral presentation telling several stories from the book ‘Homestead Fever”, that was written by a member of Emily’s family about early settlers in Nebraska.
Her parents are Randy & Shelly of Harvard.
She is currently attending UNL and plans to graduate in May of 2011 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English, with a minor in Humanities of Medicine. She plans to attend UNMC to become a Pediatric Oncologist.
When ask asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Emily replied “By studying my Czech heritage, I have come to understand and appreciate the sacrifices my Czech ancestors made to come to the United States and make a life for themselves in Nebraska. It is for this reason that my last name is a source of pride. Learning about my Czech heritage has helped me to understand more about myself as well. Both of my parents’ families have preserved various Czech traditions that are still visible at our holiday celebrations.
I now recognize that the ways we prepare foods like dumplings, sauerkraut, duck, carp, and kolace are Czech traditions. The love my family has for Czech folk and classical music is a way for us to celebrate our Czech heritage as well. My Czech roots were a major part of my identity long before I came to understand them and appreciate them. I am proud of the role my Czech heritage plays in my personality and identity”.
Rabecca represents the Nebraska Czechs of Prague.
For her talent she sang “Kde Domov Muj” (My Homeland) in Czech and English.
Her parents are Jeff & Lori of Clarkson.
She would like to attend Northeast Community in Norfolk and major in horticulture or turf management.
When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Rabecca replied, “My Czech heritage is important to me because it describes who I am. Being a descendant of a Czech background and living in a Czech community it has really given me the opportunity to connect with the town of Clarkson and the people of the community. I have the great opportunity to represent the Prague Czech chapter this year, and it will be a good opportunity to learn more about my heritage”.
Laura represents the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber.
For her talent she did a lyrical ballet dance entitled “You’re Not Sorry” by Taylor Swift.
Her parents are Larry & Teri of Crete
She is currently attending Peru State College and wishes to be an elementary teacher or special education teacher.
When asked why her Czech or Slovak heritage was important to her, Laura replied “A lot of people do not care about their heritage. I care and want to know where I have come from. I want to know more about my family’s traditions and hopefully carry them on with my family”.
2008 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen
Carrie was the 2008 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen and represented the Nebraska Czechs of Omaha Czech Cultural Club.
Carrie will represent the Nebraska Czechs, Inc. at the 2009 Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in Wilber, NE
We wish Carrie all the best as she competes for the National Title.
Thank you Carrie for being a great Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen!
2009 Nebraska Czech Queens
Thank You ladies for representing your Chapters
and the Nebraska Czechs, Inc.
Dekuji !
Na shledanou !
(Till we meet again)
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