Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Crowned

queen_crowning_2014Janna Waters was crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa at the St. Joseph's Day Dance on March 16.  Janna is the daughter of Pat & Joan Waters of Marshalltown. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 2013 and is currently a graduate student. She works as a teaching assistant in the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures, and she is the founder and president of the Czech Connection at the University of Iowa. Her future plans include obtaining a Ph.D. in Russian & Central Eastern European History and to teach at the university level.Megan Lehmann was crowned 1st Runner Up.  Megan is the daughter of Steve and Karen Lehmann of Cedar Rapids. She is a senior at Kennedy High School. She plays the flute and clarinet, and has been involved in concert band and marching band. Megan plans to attend a university and major in biochemistry.Janna will go on to represent the Czech Heritage Foundation and the state of Iowa at the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in August.

2014 Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Schedule Announced

The Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant will be held on March 16, 2014 in conjunction with the St. Joseph’s Day Dance in Walford, Iowa.  This is a change from previous years when the pageant was held during Houby Days.  Young women between the ages of 16 and 26, un-wed, possessing a Czech or Slovak lineage, and that have completed the application process will compete.  The winner of the Iowa pageant will receive prizes, scholarship funds, and will qualify to compete in the National Pageant in Wilber, Nebraska in August.The Pageant is composed of four areas of competition that will illustrate each young woman’s capability to represent her Czech or Slovak heritage: private interview, on-stage interview, talent performance, and kroj (traditional Czech or Slovak folk dress) modeling.Part of the pageant judging will be held at the Teahen Chapel across from the Ponderosa Ballroom in the morning at 10:45 AM on Sunday, March 16 beginning with the private interview.  Following dinner for the candidates, visiting queens, guests, judges, and helpers, the candidates will perform their talent.  The on-stage interview, kroj modeling, and the crowning ceremony will take place in the afternoon at the ballroom.  Music will be provided by Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen.  The dance will be held from 2:00 – 6:00 PM.  The two pageant judging events will take approximately 15 minutes followed by more music and dancing.  Door prizes, a raffle & bake sale will be held at the dance.Schedule of EventsTeahen Chapel – Contestants, current visiting state queens, past Iowa queens & invited dignitariesHospitality – Rolls, Coffee, Juice9:45 AM   Orientation with Judges10:15 AM   Orientation with contestants10:45 AM   Private Interview11:15 AM   Photo Session12:00 AM   Luncheon1:00 PM   Talent ContestPonderosa Ballroom – Open to the public –admission $8.002:00 PM   Dance Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen3:00 PM   On Stage Interview4:00 PM   Kroj Modeling5:00 PM   Crowning Ceremony with Royal Court6:00 PM   Dance ConclusionIf you have any questions, feel free to contactBonnie Rohlena, Iowa Pageant Director(Cell) 319-329-2534(Home) 319-442-3592webmaster@czechheritagefoundation.com

Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Application Deadline Announced

The Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant announces its search for its 2013-2014 queen!  As part of the longest-running cultural pageant in the United States, women aged 16-26 compete for the title of Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa at the St. Joseph's Day Dance in Walford, Iowa in March. The competition includes a public and private interview, a talent competition, and a kroj modeling competition.The winner of this pageant receives over $500 in prizes, and goes on to represent the state of Iowa in the National Miss Czech-Slovak Pageant held in Wilber, NE where she competes for a national title and over $10,000 in prizes. Throughout the year, she will attend events in the local and regional Czech communities.Are you or is someone you know interested in competing?  Applications must be postmarked by February 15!  For more information, and to apply, please download the Miss Czech-Slovak IA Application Form.