2010 Czech-Slovak Queens
The Nebraska Czechs, Inc. are proud to introduce the
2010-2011 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Ms. Claire Frahm
The Nebraska Czechs, Inc. held their 48th annual Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen pageant in Clarkson, NE on June 19, 2010. Eight young ladies representing various chapters of the Nebraska Czechs, Inc. 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 Mrs. Annette Wallace of Papillion, NE; Mr. Robert Wachal of Iowa City, IA; Mr. Chad Nabity of Grand Island, NE; and Ms. Michelle Wiedel of Lincoln, NE.
2010-2011 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Ms. Claire Frahm
The Nebraska Czechs, Inc. held their 48th annual Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen pageant in Clarkson, NE on June 19, 2010. Eight young ladies representing various chapters of the Nebraska Czechs, Inc. 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 Mrs. Annette Wallace of Papillion, NE; Mr. Robert Wachal of Iowa City, IA; Mr. Chad Nabity of Grand Island, NE; and Ms. Michelle Wiedel of Lincoln, NE.
2010 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Candidates
Candidates pictured left to right are:
Elizabeth Busboom – Nebraska Czechs of Butler County
Laura Shestak – Nebraska Czechs of Prague
Alex Cerveny – Nebraska Czechs of York; Miss Congeniality Award
Claire Frahm –Nebraska Czechs of the Omaha Czech Cultural Club; 2010 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen,
Oratory Award & Best Talent
Kelsey Homolka – Nebraska Czechs of Wilber; Runner-up, Best Private Interview, Best Kroj and Heritage Award
Beth Langdon – Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson
Erin Spicka – Nebraska Czechs of South Central
Marie Bolin – Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln
Stefanie Vocasek – 2009 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen; 2010 Miss Czech-Slovak US
Elizabeth Busboom – Nebraska Czechs of Butler County
Laura Shestak – Nebraska Czechs of Prague
Alex Cerveny – Nebraska Czechs of York; Miss Congeniality Award
Claire Frahm –Nebraska Czechs of the Omaha Czech Cultural Club; 2010 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen,
Oratory Award & Best Talent
Kelsey Homolka – Nebraska Czechs of Wilber; Runner-up, Best Private Interview, Best Kroj and Heritage Award
Beth Langdon – Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson
Erin Spicka – Nebraska Czechs of South Central
Marie Bolin – Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln
Stefanie Vocasek – 2009 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen; 2010 Miss Czech-Slovak US
Ms. Claire Frahm of the Omaha Czech Cultural Club also won the oratory award and best talent award at the 48th Annual Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant. For her talent, she performed a lyrical/contemporary dance to “Jiny Sen” (Distant Dream) by Aneta Langerova.
Her parents are Brent and Valerie Frahm from Beatrice, NE and she is currently attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she is a junior majoring in Elementary Education. Claire will represent the Nebraska Czechs, Inc. at the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in Wilber, NE in August 2011.
When asked about her heritage Claire made the following comments; “My family has always been very proud of our Czech heritage. Many people in our family have researched our heritage and have traced ancestors from all over the Czech Republic. We have people in Caslav, Brno, Plzen, Hrotovice, Cesky Krumlov and Chodsko. My Czech heritage is very important to me. It’s who I am, and where I’m from.
The Czech people have very strong traditions, and my family has always been adamant on keeping those traditions alive. Family is very important to the Czech people, and very important to me. We have tried to uphold various traditions important to our ancestors, and usually these traditions are related to food. Every year before Christmas, the women in my family get together to make houska, and at almost every holiday, one can find kolace, dumplings and sauerkraut on the table. I hope to maintain my family’s traditions of making these delicious Czech foods and keeping family close.”
Her parents are Brent and Valerie Frahm from Beatrice, NE and she is currently attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she is a junior majoring in Elementary Education. Claire will represent the Nebraska Czechs, Inc. at the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in Wilber, NE in August 2011.
When asked about her heritage Claire made the following comments; “My family has always been very proud of our Czech heritage. Many people in our family have researched our heritage and have traced ancestors from all over the Czech Republic. We have people in Caslav, Brno, Plzen, Hrotovice, Cesky Krumlov and Chodsko. My Czech heritage is very important to me. It’s who I am, and where I’m from.
The Czech people have very strong traditions, and my family has always been adamant on keeping those traditions alive. Family is very important to the Czech people, and very important to me. We have tried to uphold various traditions important to our ancestors, and usually these traditions are related to food. Every year before Christmas, the women in my family get together to make houska, and at almost every holiday, one can find kolace, dumplings and sauerkraut on the table. I hope to maintain my family’s traditions of making these delicious Czech foods and keeping family close.”
2010-2011 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen
Ms. Claire Frahm
Ms. Claire Frahm
2010-2011 Runner-up
Ms. Kelsey Homolka
Ms. Kelsey Homolka
Ms. Kelsey Homolka representing the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber was awarded the First Runner Up title. She also won the Best Private Interview, Best Kroj, and the new Heritage Award. For her talent she presented an oratory of how the polka was created, and then performed a tap dance to “I Love to Polka.”
Her parents are Kelly and Mary Homolka of Wilber, NE.
Kelsey is currently attending Southeast Community College where she is majoringin agribusiness and business accounting. She will then continue her education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she will complete a bachelor’s degree in marketing and sales.
When asked about her heritage Kelsey made the following comments; “I was raised listening to Czech music and loving the Czech culture. My grandma and grandpa Homolka were active polka dancers and promoted my Dad’s love for the button accordion. It is only natural living in Wilber, NE that I have grown up believing that the Wilber Czech festival is treated as a major US holiday. I believe playing our music helps to preserve our heritage and the music is one of the major reasons I love my Czech heritage. In the summer of 2007 I had the wonderful opportunity of traveling to the Czech Republic and also Slovakia. It was an experience that I will forever cherish, as I appreciate my heritage. One day I want to go back and learn more about my culture and heritage. As I learn more it will increase my knowledge and understanding of how I want to preserve my heritage.”
Her parents are Kelly and Mary Homolka of Wilber, NE.
Kelsey is currently attending Southeast Community College where she is majoringin agribusiness and business accounting. She will then continue her education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she will complete a bachelor’s degree in marketing and sales.
When asked about her heritage Kelsey made the following comments; “I was raised listening to Czech music and loving the Czech culture. My grandma and grandpa Homolka were active polka dancers and promoted my Dad’s love for the button accordion. It is only natural living in Wilber, NE that I have grown up believing that the Wilber Czech festival is treated as a major US holiday. I believe playing our music helps to preserve our heritage and the music is one of the major reasons I love my Czech heritage. In the summer of 2007 I had the wonderful opportunity of traveling to the Czech Republic and also Slovakia. It was an experience that I will forever cherish, as I appreciate my heritage. One day I want to go back and learn more about my culture and heritage. As I learn more it will increase my knowledge and understanding of how I want to preserve my heritage.”
Miss Congeniality
Ms. Alex Cerveny
Ms. Alex Cerveny
Ms. Alex Cerveny, representing the Nebraska Czechs of York was awarded the Miss Congeniality Award. For her talent she performed a flag corp routine to a polka mix of ‘Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie; Clarinet Polka and Red Wine Polka.’
Her parents are Scott and Christina Cerveny of Aurora, NE. Alex will be attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln this fall and will major in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish.
When asked about her heritage Alex made the following comments; “My Czech heritage is important to me because one cannot truly appreciate where they are and where they are going without knowing where they came from. My ancestors gave up so much to come to America for a better life, it is only fitting that I respect and incorporate my heritage into my life. I have worked with my grandparents to sort old documents, preserving our family’s story, and assisted in the restoration of the family homestead in Daykin, NE and learned the family recipes to keep the traditions alive.”
Her parents are Scott and Christina Cerveny of Aurora, NE. Alex will be attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln this fall and will major in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish.
When asked about her heritage Alex made the following comments; “My Czech heritage is important to me because one cannot truly appreciate where they are and where they are going without knowing where they came from. My ancestors gave up so much to come to America for a better life, it is only fitting that I respect and incorporate my heritage into my life. I have worked with my grandparents to sort old documents, preserving our family’s story, and assisted in the restoration of the family homestead in Daykin, NE and learned the family recipes to keep the traditions alive.”
Ms. Marie Bolin
Ms. Marie Bolin represents the Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln. For her talent she performed a violin solo playing “Humoresque” by Dvorak.
Her parents are Kevin and Diane Bolin of Eagle, NE. Marie is attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she is working towards a doctorate in Optometry.
When asked about her heritage Marie made the following comments; “I do remember my great grandpa Svitak and his Czech accent and him playing polka music for us. I feel I have inherited my love of sewing and my sewing talent from my Czech grandmothers. My grandma has many items from Czech in her home that are little pieces of my connection to that heritage. I have learned to make traditional recipes from my grandma such as kolace, houska and family Christmas cookie recipes. I plan to remember and share our family history with future family. By becoming involved in the Czech Queen contest I will also learn more Czech customs and traditions. This has also encouraged my grandma to tell stories about her family. I have met a Czech cousin who visited a few summers ago and I hope to visit my Czech family in the future.”
Her parents are Kevin and Diane Bolin of Eagle, NE. Marie is attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she is working towards a doctorate in Optometry.
When asked about her heritage Marie made the following comments; “I do remember my great grandpa Svitak and his Czech accent and him playing polka music for us. I feel I have inherited my love of sewing and my sewing talent from my Czech grandmothers. My grandma has many items from Czech in her home that are little pieces of my connection to that heritage. I have learned to make traditional recipes from my grandma such as kolace, houska and family Christmas cookie recipes. I plan to remember and share our family history with future family. By becoming involved in the Czech Queen contest I will also learn more Czech customs and traditions. This has also encouraged my grandma to tell stories about her family. I have met a Czech cousin who visited a few summers ago and I hope to visit my Czech family in the future.”
Ms. Elizabeth Langdon
Ms. Elizabeth Langdon represents the Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson. For her talent she presented an oral presentation entitled “My Journey to America” which told the experiences of a young girl as she journeys to this country, and the hardships and struggles she and her family have as they build their life here.
Her parents are Sheryl Langdon and Rowe Langdon of Clarkson, NE. Elizabeth plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the fall of 2010 and pursue a degree in Architectural Engineering.
When asked about her heritage Elizabeth made the following comments; “My Czech heritage is important to me because it is part of who I am and who my family is. They came to this country not knowing anyone and not being able to speak English. They overcame many obstacles and setbacks and were able to raise good families and have a good life. Understanding their struggles and understanding the sacrifices they made make me appreciate more the things that I have now. It also gives me a greater appreciation of who I am. I feel that preserving our heritage takes place on a much more basic level as we learn from our elders. We learn the importance of who we are and where we come from, and as we age and we become older, we hold on to those traditions, and we teach them to the generations that come after us. Some of my fondest memories are time spent with my grandmother as she taught me to make bread, kolace and streudel.”
Her parents are Sheryl Langdon and Rowe Langdon of Clarkson, NE. Elizabeth plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the fall of 2010 and pursue a degree in Architectural Engineering.
When asked about her heritage Elizabeth made the following comments; “My Czech heritage is important to me because it is part of who I am and who my family is. They came to this country not knowing anyone and not being able to speak English. They overcame many obstacles and setbacks and were able to raise good families and have a good life. Understanding their struggles and understanding the sacrifices they made make me appreciate more the things that I have now. It also gives me a greater appreciation of who I am. I feel that preserving our heritage takes place on a much more basic level as we learn from our elders. We learn the importance of who we are and where we come from, and as we age and we become older, we hold on to those traditions, and we teach them to the generations that come after us. Some of my fondest memories are time spent with my grandmother as she taught me to make bread, kolace and streudel.”
Ms. Erin Spicka
Ms. Erin Spicka represents the Nebraska Czechs of South Central. For her talent she performed a button accordion solo playing, ‘Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie’ and the ‘Praha Polka.”
Her parents are Kevin and Kathy Spicka of Friend, NE. Erin recently graduated from the College of Hair Design with a Cosmetology and Esthetics License.
When asked about her heritage Erin made the following comments; “My Czech heritage is very important to me because it is who I am. It makes me proud to be Czech because when they came to the United States they came with many musical talents. My family has carried this tradition down the line where it got to me and the rest of my family members. Another family heritage we have from our ancestors is the farming that my family has carried on. I have watched over my grandma doing the genealogy of my family’s heritage, helping me learn more of who my family members were and where they came from. I danced for the little Wilber Czechs Dancers when I was younger, and I love cooking kolace, dumplings and sauerkraut with my grandma.”
Her parents are Kevin and Kathy Spicka of Friend, NE. Erin recently graduated from the College of Hair Design with a Cosmetology and Esthetics License.
When asked about her heritage Erin made the following comments; “My Czech heritage is very important to me because it is who I am. It makes me proud to be Czech because when they came to the United States they came with many musical talents. My family has carried this tradition down the line where it got to me and the rest of my family members. Another family heritage we have from our ancestors is the farming that my family has carried on. I have watched over my grandma doing the genealogy of my family’s heritage, helping me learn more of who my family members were and where they came from. I danced for the little Wilber Czechs Dancers when I was younger, and I love cooking kolace, dumplings and sauerkraut with my grandma.”
Ms. Laura Shestak
Ms. Laura Shestak represents the Nebraska Czechs of Prague. For her talent she performed a flute solo playing “The Jenny Lind Polka.”
Her parents are Larry & Teri Shestak of Crete, NE. She is currently attending Peru State College and wishes to be an elementary special education teacher.
When asked about her heritage Laura made the following comments; “My family traditions are important to me because my ancestors came all the way from the Czech Republic and brought the stories and traditions with them. By passing these traditions and stories down from generation to generation it will keep our history and traditions alive. My grandma Shestak taught my Mom and me how to make kolace and houska. My parents hiding a pickle in our Christmas tree is a family tradition since I was little. Wearing my Czech kroj proudly and dancing the polka are more traditions that I can pass on to my family.”
Her parents are Larry & Teri Shestak of Crete, NE. She is currently attending Peru State College and wishes to be an elementary special education teacher.
When asked about her heritage Laura made the following comments; “My family traditions are important to me because my ancestors came all the way from the Czech Republic and brought the stories and traditions with them. By passing these traditions and stories down from generation to generation it will keep our history and traditions alive. My grandma Shestak taught my Mom and me how to make kolace and houska. My parents hiding a pickle in our Christmas tree is a family tradition since I was little. Wearing my Czech kroj proudly and dancing the polka are more traditions that I can pass on to my family.”
Ms. Elizabeth Busboom
Ms. Elizabeth Busboom represents the Nebraska Czechs of Butler County. For her talent she did a lyrical dance to the humorous song ‘Neber Sobe’ (Don’t Marry).
Her parents are Tom and Pam Busboom of Crete, NE. She is currently attending Peru State College and wishes to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Elementary Special Education.
When asked about her heritage Elizabeth made the following comments; “Our heritage can tell us what has happened before us. How our families use to live and what made them the way they were. This is important to me because it is a part of who I am as an individual. Every year my family and I attend Czech pageants and parades in which we take part in celebrating the Czech culture and wear our kroj. My grandmother has also made my family a family tree that traces back our history to 1785 in the Czech Republic. She has also written letters to us about how her grandmother loved and missed the Czech Republic.”
Her parents are Tom and Pam Busboom of Crete, NE. She is currently attending Peru State College and wishes to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Elementary Special Education.
When asked about her heritage Elizabeth made the following comments; “Our heritage can tell us what has happened before us. How our families use to live and what made them the way they were. This is important to me because it is a part of who I am as an individual. Every year my family and I attend Czech pageants and parades in which we take part in celebrating the Czech culture and wear our kroj. My grandmother has also made my family a family tree that traces back our history to 1785 in the Czech Republic. She has also written letters to us about how her grandmother loved and missed the Czech Republic.”
