The deadline for prince and princess applications is fast approaching! This program allows youth aged 12-18 to be active participants in the local Czech community. For more information, and to apply, please click here.
Czech Prince, Princess, and Mladší Princ represent Czech Heritage Foundation
A new tradition began during Houby Days 2014 in Cedar Rapids, with the crowning of the new Czech royal court. Typically, members are inducted during the winter, but the new timing and venue offered a more public setting during Children's Day on May 18, 2014, at the festival in Czech Village.
Candidates wrote an essay and were interviewed by a panel that included Denver Dvorsky, board member of the Cedar Rapids Czech Heritage Foundation, and Pam Lewis, president of the Czech Village Association.Dvorsky, who also served as announcer for the ceremony, noted that the program – sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Czech Heritage Foundation – dates back to 1981. ''The Czech prince and princess serve as young ambassadors for the Cedar Rapids Czech community and appear in parades, ceremonies and other special events,'' he said. ''We are grateful for the time and effort they dedicate to these positions.''
Ashley Pudil, a senior at Xavier High School, was named Czech Princess, with Sam Uthoff, a sophomore at Prairie High School, selected as Czech Prince. Branden Knight, a seventh-grader at Harding Middle School, was named Mladší Princ, which translates to ''younger prince.''
Ashley is the daughter of Kevin and Denise Pudil of Cedar Rapids. Sam is the son of Ann and Vince Uthoff of Solon and Branden is the son of Tom and Karen Knight of Hiawatha.All have since been serving as members of the Czech royal court, along with reigning Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa, Janna Waters, and Little Sister Iowa, Victoria Knight.
This summer, they participated in the Memorial Day ceremony and made appearances at the Freedom Festival parade in Cedar Rapids; the Belle Plaine parade on the Fourth of July; the Sesquicentennial Parade in Chelsea, and the Czech School final program.
They also have participated in several events at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and in Czech Village, including as judges at Czechtoberfest and at the museum's 40th anniversary celebration and the opening of the exhibit by artist Peter Sís.Kelsey Pokorny and Brennan Bell served as Czech princess and prince during the previous year and appeared in numerous events, including the St. Joseph's Day, St. Patrick's Day and Freedom Festival parades; St. Joseph's Day Celebration; Memorial Day ceremony for the Czech National Cemetery; Cedar Rapids Czech School program; events at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library; the Fairy Tale Festival at Ushers Ferry Historic Village and Cultural Diversity Festival in Iowa City.
Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Wins Heritage Involvement Award
Janna Waters, Miss Czech-Slovak IA 2014-2015, competed at the Miss Czech-SlovakUS pageant in Wilber, NE during the first weekend in August.Janna was one of 11 young women competing in the pageant, which is the longest-running cultural pageant in the United States.
Janna brought home the pageant's Heritage Involvement Award, which demonstrates her level of commitment to the local Czech and Slovak communities in Iowa.
2014 Prince and Princess Applications Due May 1
The deadline for prince and princess applications is fast approaching! This program allows youth aged 12-16 to be active participants in the local Czech community. For more information, and to apply, please click here.
St. Patrick's and Joseph's Day Parades
The CHF entered a float in this year's St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day parades. Members of the royal court, including the newly-crowned Miss Czech-Slovak IA, participated in the parade.