YORK —At the state Nebraska Czechs pageant in Clarkson on June 20 and 21, Stefanie Vocasek of Lincoln became the new 2009 state queen. Local queen Missy Vavra, of the Nebraska Czechs of York, took the trophy for Best Talent and was also voted “Ms. Congeniality” by her fellow queens.

Missy’s clogging routine impressed both the judges and the audience. She has been dancing since she was three years old, and now does clogging, tap and ballet.  She clogged wearing the polka vest and skirt her Grandma Vavra had worn while performing with the Milligan Polka Boosters in the 1960s.

Missy’s kroj, the traditional folk costume each queen must design herself, incorporated traditions from her ancestors’ home region of Prachensko. It included a scarf that her great-great grandmother had brought from Bohemia.

This fall, Missy will be entering her second year at UNL, with a major in Dietetics and a minor in Psychology.

She is the daughter of Gary and Crystal Vavra of McCool Junction. Her grandparents are Roger and Nancy Suey of Fremont and Melvin and Arlene Vavra of Milligan.