Dalynn Pokorny and Victoria Night were crowned Little Sisters at the annual CHF pot-luck picnic held at the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library on August 13, 2013. Little Sisters Dalynn and Victoria received their crowns, sashes, wrist corsage, and a gift bag. The Little Sister Iowa Program was designed to encourage young girls to become interested in and involved in their Czech heritage. Dalynn and Victoria will participate in a variety of events, festivals, dances, parades along with the CHF Prince and Princess and the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa.Also present at the crowning were Princess Kelsey Pokorny and out-going Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Holly Stepanek. All royalty present modeled their kroj and introduced their parents.
2013 Czech Prince and Princess
The Czech Heritage Foundation crowned Czech Prince Brennan Bell and Czech Princess Kelsey Pokorny at their February 2013 Meeting.Brennan is the son of Cindy Hadish and Jeff Bell. He attends Franklin Middle School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Brennan plays the clarinet and basson, and is involved in activities at St. Wenceslaus Church, the Indian Creek Nature Center, and the Cedar Rapids Czech School.Kelsey, a sophomore at North Tama High School, is the daughter of Mike and Ronda Pokorny of Elberon, Iowa. She is involved in FCCLA, chorus, show choir, and dances with the CR Spirits.The prince and princess will represent the Czech Heritage Foundation and the local Czech community at events throughout the coming year.
Scholarship Recipients Announced
The Czech Heritage Foundation understands the importance and high cost of education for youth, and has established a fund to support students of Czech and Slovak descent in their academic pursuits. This year, scholarships were awarded to three deserving individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their academic and community involvement.
- Hailee Raue will be an undergraduate attending the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She is interested in Occupational or Physical Therapy.
- Austin Frerick will be a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He will be working towards his master's degree in Public Affairs.
- Leha Podzimek will be attending Goldsmith University in London. She is pursuing a master's degree in music.
Marissa Cada Wins Heritage Involvement Award
Marissa Cada, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2011-2012, brought home the Heritage Involvement Award after competing in the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant this past weekend. This award is given to the contestant with the most and best community involvement in their heritage, as determined by their entry application.Marissa competed with 9 other women from across the country in the nation's longest-running cultural pageant, which is held annually at the Czech Days Festival in Wilber, NE.
Marissa Cada to Compete in Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant This Weekend
Marissa Cada, daughter of Ida and Jerry Cada of Shueyville, IA, will travel to Nebraska this weekend to represent the state of Iowa in the Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant. The pageant is the longest-running cultural pageant in the United States and attracts young women from around the country who are interested in representing their Czech and Slovak ancestry. This year, Marissa will be competing against 9 other contestants.Contestants are judged in four categories: private interview, onstage interview, talent, and kroj modeling. $10,000 in cash and prizes is awarded each year, and winners travel to events across the country during their reign. The pageant is held in conjunction with Czech Fest in Wilber, Nebraska from August 3-5. Marissa will perform a dance routine and will model her Americanized kroj. We wish her the best of luck and send lots of support from Iowa this weekend!