History of the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant

In August 2000 Lisa Volesky, daughter of Dennis and Debbie Volesky of Swisher, Iowa and granddaughter of Czech Heritage Foundation board members John and Adeline Volesky, entered the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in Wilber, Nebraska.  Lisa was very impressed with the pageant, and in 2001 she returned to the competition with thirteen other contestants.  During the weekend, Lisa was crowned Miss Czech-Slovak US 2001-2002. 

On November 13, 2001 John Fiala, director of the Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. Pageant, attended the Cedar Rapids Czech Heritage Foundation board meeting and encouraged the group to sponsor pageant contestants. After John Fiala’s presentation, the foundation board voted to be Iowa’s sponsoring organization, sending a candidate to the national competition each year.

Since 2001, the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa program has been running strong and representing the heritage of Iowa Czechs and Slovaks. In 2003, Iowa brought home another national title when Stasia Krivanek was crowned Miss Czech-Slovak US 2003-2004. Iowa has also been the recipient of several talent awards, runner up awards, and heritage involvement award winners.

 Iowa’s state pageant is held in conjunction with Houby Days Festival in Czech Village, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The festival is held during the first weekend in May.  Adeline Volesky served as the first pageant coordinator and retired her position in 2009 when Zelda De Hoedt assumed her position.  Past pageant directors also included Amanda De Hoedt, Joyce Netolicky, Adeline Volesky, and Debbie Volesky. In 2014, Bonnie Rohlena and Donna Gruntorad became co-directors of the Iowa pageant. The pageant was passed on to Ashley Pudil and Janna Waters in 2018.

In July 2019, Linda Babinat, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2016-2017, passed away at the age of 22. She was the recipient of the Heritage Involvement Award at the national pageant.

Past Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Queens