In Her Own Words
In Prague, CZ it is:
Brandy (Beekley) VanDeWalle, 1998 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Reflects on her experience as a Queen
Growing up seven miles from Wilber, I haven’t missed a Wilber Czech Days yet! When I was a young child, I remember my parents and grandparents working hard to think of creative float ideas for the Wilber Children's parade. My mother and grandmother spent hours every year sewing a new Czech kroj (outfit) or rummaging together pieces from other relatives that would fit that year. They also made sure there were plenty of kolace, dumplings and other Czech goodies around at Czech Days, holidays and other special occasions!
As a child, I didn't know that other people didn't just "normally" eat those traditional Czech foods and probably even took for granted going to school in Wilber, Czech Capital of the U.S.A.! It wasn't until my younger sister, Halley became the Wilber Czech Princess that I realized the honor it was to be a part of the Wilber Czech community. Helping Halley partake in the Czech royalty activities and observing her queen sparked my desire to later try for Wilber Czech Queen myself.
I was blessed to be selected as the 1998 Wilber Czech Queen and have Natasha and Brad Florian as my princess and prince. I spent time learning about my family's ancestry and the colors and styles of their region's kroj. Not only did this allow me to better appreciate and understand my family’s origins, but I learned many stories from my grandma about the lifestyle and interests in my family's history. Growing up on a farm, I have always had a strong passion for agriculture which stems deep from my family's past, as well as their strong work ethic, love of music and love of family.
During the summer of 1998, I learned so much by attending the many festivals, activities and visiting with all the great people also rooted deep in their Czech heritage. During the state pageant, I recall discussing my small cattle herd on stage and explaining my love and desire to engage in an agricultural career. Worried that I wasn't asked questions about my Czech activities and unable to share the volunteer work I’d done somewhat concerned me when the other candidates were asked more specific questions about their Czech activities. I remember standing on stage, not receiving any awards, but being extremely satisfied with the newfound friends and knowledge I gained. I was in complete shock when I was named the 1998 Nebraska Czech Queen! It truly was an honor and little did I know at the time, but that experience as a state queen and competing in the national pageant helped me gain confidence and life skills which have helped me in my career today!
After serving as state queen, I assisted with the state pageant for nine years in some capacity including state chair. I was a member of the Nebraska Czechs Inc. and Nebraska Czechs of Wilber delegate during that time, including secretary of the Nebraska Czechs Inc. for several years. After moving closer to my family, I have served on the Wilber Czech Royalty committee from 2009 to the present. Upon high school graduation, I have marched in the Wilber-Clatonia Czech Alumni Band from 1998 to the present which still gives me chills every time the band starts down the parade route. I am proud to say that my daughter received the best dressed Czech girl at the 2009 Wilber Czech Day Children's parade thanks to my mom and grandma's hard work. My daughter, now 3 1/2 was in the Jr. Czech Dancers last year, loves poppy seed kolace, dumplings and since she has been a baby is consoled by Czech music and often demands it in the vehicle going down the road! My husband, Kurt (even without an ounce of Czech heritage) has also embraced the Czech culture and helped as a stagehand for the state pageant, joined the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band as a spouse and helps wherever else needed. I received the Lady of Libuse award and Kurt has received the Knights of Blanik award given by the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber which means a lot to both of us!
I am a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Agricultural Education, taught high school agriculture in Pender for a year, received my Master's Degree from UNL in Ag Leadership Education with a minor in Animal Science and have been with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension for six years located in Fillmore County (Geneva). I teach research-based information to agricultural producers, mostly in irrigated crop production, risk management and work with the 4-H youth development program, teaching them agricultural literacy and life skills. More of my work can be seen at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth and fillmore.unl.edu. My weekly blog can be found at http://vandewalleviews.wordpress.com/.
I would like to thank my entire family and friends for supporting me and God for providing me excellent opportunities which have enriched my life. I highly encourage every young person to pursue their dreams, but not forget their roots and heritage which helps mold them into who they are.
*Special thank you to my mom Janey for playing a key role in helping me achieve this honor.
Click here to read Mary (Brabec) Cinfel's experience as the 2005 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen took her!
Click here to read where Carrie Brown's experience as the 2008 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen took her!
As a child, I didn't know that other people didn't just "normally" eat those traditional Czech foods and probably even took for granted going to school in Wilber, Czech Capital of the U.S.A.! It wasn't until my younger sister, Halley became the Wilber Czech Princess that I realized the honor it was to be a part of the Wilber Czech community. Helping Halley partake in the Czech royalty activities and observing her queen sparked my desire to later try for Wilber Czech Queen myself.
I was blessed to be selected as the 1998 Wilber Czech Queen and have Natasha and Brad Florian as my princess and prince. I spent time learning about my family's ancestry and the colors and styles of their region's kroj. Not only did this allow me to better appreciate and understand my family’s origins, but I learned many stories from my grandma about the lifestyle and interests in my family's history. Growing up on a farm, I have always had a strong passion for agriculture which stems deep from my family's past, as well as their strong work ethic, love of music and love of family.
During the summer of 1998, I learned so much by attending the many festivals, activities and visiting with all the great people also rooted deep in their Czech heritage. During the state pageant, I recall discussing my small cattle herd on stage and explaining my love and desire to engage in an agricultural career. Worried that I wasn't asked questions about my Czech activities and unable to share the volunteer work I’d done somewhat concerned me when the other candidates were asked more specific questions about their Czech activities. I remember standing on stage, not receiving any awards, but being extremely satisfied with the newfound friends and knowledge I gained. I was in complete shock when I was named the 1998 Nebraska Czech Queen! It truly was an honor and little did I know at the time, but that experience as a state queen and competing in the national pageant helped me gain confidence and life skills which have helped me in my career today!
After serving as state queen, I assisted with the state pageant for nine years in some capacity including state chair. I was a member of the Nebraska Czechs Inc. and Nebraska Czechs of Wilber delegate during that time, including secretary of the Nebraska Czechs Inc. for several years. After moving closer to my family, I have served on the Wilber Czech Royalty committee from 2009 to the present. Upon high school graduation, I have marched in the Wilber-Clatonia Czech Alumni Band from 1998 to the present which still gives me chills every time the band starts down the parade route. I am proud to say that my daughter received the best dressed Czech girl at the 2009 Wilber Czech Day Children's parade thanks to my mom and grandma's hard work. My daughter, now 3 1/2 was in the Jr. Czech Dancers last year, loves poppy seed kolace, dumplings and since she has been a baby is consoled by Czech music and often demands it in the vehicle going down the road! My husband, Kurt (even without an ounce of Czech heritage) has also embraced the Czech culture and helped as a stagehand for the state pageant, joined the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band as a spouse and helps wherever else needed. I received the Lady of Libuse award and Kurt has received the Knights of Blanik award given by the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber which means a lot to both of us!
I am a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Agricultural Education, taught high school agriculture in Pender for a year, received my Master's Degree from UNL in Ag Leadership Education with a minor in Animal Science and have been with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension for six years located in Fillmore County (Geneva). I teach research-based information to agricultural producers, mostly in irrigated crop production, risk management and work with the 4-H youth development program, teaching them agricultural literacy and life skills. More of my work can be seen at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth and fillmore.unl.edu. My weekly blog can be found at http://vandewalleviews.wordpress.com/.
I would like to thank my entire family and friends for supporting me and God for providing me excellent opportunities which have enriched my life. I highly encourage every young person to pursue their dreams, but not forget their roots and heritage which helps mold them into who they are.
*Special thank you to my mom Janey for playing a key role in helping me achieve this honor.
Click here to read Mary (Brabec) Cinfel's experience as the 2005 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen took her!
Click here to read where Carrie Brown's experience as the 2008 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen took her!
1998 Czech Royalty
left to right
Natasha Florian, Wilber Princess
Brandy (Beekley) VanDeWalle, 1998 Nebraska Czech Queen
Brad Florian, Wilber Prince
left to right
Natasha Florian, Wilber Princess
Brandy (Beekley) VanDeWalle, 1998 Nebraska Czech Queen
Brad Florian, Wilber Prince
VanDeWalle Family
