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!
Czech Royalty at NCSML Grand Opening
This weekend on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 members of the Czech Heritage Foundation will celebrate the grand opening of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, IA. Royalty will be participating in events throughout the weekend. Be sure to get some candy from them during the parade at 9:00am on Saturday!For a full schedule of events, please visit the NCSML website.
Annual Potluck Picnic
Join us at the Czech Heritage Foundation's annual potluck picnic on Tuesday, August 14 at 6:00pm. This year, this picnic will be held at the newly renovated National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids. Look for us on the Naxera Terrace. In the case of rain, the event will move indoors to the Mitvalsky Room.Meat, table service, and drinks will be provided by the Czech Heritage Foundation. Guests are asked to bring a dish to share. Please RSVP before August 9 by e-mailing chfwebmaster@gmail.com
Scholarship Application Deadline Nearing
Collegate undergraduate and graduate students still have a few weeks to prepare their applications for the Czech Heritage Foundation scholarship. Applications must be mailed by July 1. Learn more information about eligibility and how to apply by visiting our scholarship page.
Holly Stepanek Crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2012-2013
Holly Stepanek, daughter of Tom and Sheila, was crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2012-2013 at this year's pageant. Pageant festivities were held in conjunction with the Cedar Rapids Houby Days Festival on May 19.Holly, originally from Cedar Rapids, has completed two years of coursework at Kirkwood Community College and will study German and political science at the University of Iowa in the fall. She has been involved in her Czech heritage from a young age, attending Czech School and participating in an exchange program to the Czech Republic. For her talent, Holly performed a piano solo. She will represent Czechs and Slovaks in the state of Iowa at festivals, parades, and events throughout the year. Upon completion of her rein, she will compete in the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant.Holly was preceded by Marissa Cada, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2011-2012. Marissa will represent Iowa at the national pageant August 3-5 in Wilber, NE.