VĚSTNÍK
Miss Texas Czech-Slovak seeks contestants; sets April 23 pageant Editor’s Note: The incorrect date of the 2022 Czech Heritage Society Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Pageant appeared in the February 14 Vestnik. Please note that the pageant will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Knights of Columbus Hall in West. The February 14 Vestnik also included testimonials from several past pageant contestants. This week’s Vestnik includes testimonials from two SPJST members - Miss Texas Czech-Slovak 2021 Madison Murphy of Lodge 6, Cottonwood and 2021 Miss Czech-Slovak US Lauren Gerik of Lodge 66, Waco. The Czech Heritage Society Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Pageant is searching for young women who love their heritage and want to promote Czech and Slovak culture for the 15 chapters across Texas. The state deadline to enter is March 15, 2022. Please contact Kathy Podsednik, director of the CHS Texas Pageant, at kathypods@gmail.com for more information or Jana Vaculik Riley at janamriley@gmail.com. The pageant is organized and sponsored by the Czech Heritage of Society of Texas for the purpose of our younger generations to be more involved in their Texas Czech culture and to learn about the customs and traditions to be passed down to future generations. The past state queens of the Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Pageant state it is a life changing experience that provides them opportunities to learn more about their family history, Czech culture, and meet people throughout the United States. It also provides them many opportunities to meet dignitaries, attend other Czech organization events while earning the admiration of our younger generations. During their reign representing their Texas Czech culture, they learn many life skills such as poise, public speaking, and greeting people of all ages. The future queen will be crowned at the 20th Annual Pageant and Spring Meeting of the CHS of Texas on Saturday, April 23 at Knights of Columbus Hall, 2547 Jerry Mashek Drive in West, Texas. The 2022 CHS Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen will advance to compete for cash, prizes, and a trip to Czech or Slovak Republics at the Miss
Monday, February 28, 2022 Czech-Slovak US Pageant in Wilber, Nebraska, in August. Contestants must be between the ages of 16 to 26, a member of Czech Heritage Society (CHS) of Texas, willing to travel to Czech events and represent us across the state of Texas. She must be of partial Czech, Moravian, Slovak, Rusyn, or Silesian descent. The queen candidate must complete the four categories of the pageant at the chapter and state level: private interview, onstage interview, talent; and kroj modeling, either Americanized or authentic. Texas is blessed to be a large state with many Czech festivals, events, and communities. Texas Czechs have not forgotten their ancestors’ journey by ship for a better life in America. The immigrants did not speak English and sold all of their worldly possessions to purchase their passage in hopes of a better life. They quickly proved their strong work ethic, faith, extreme pride in their heritage, and musical talents. They provided for their families by raising livestock, poultry, and boasted the best crops and fertile farmland. Their excellent sausage, kolaches, and pastries are now world renowned. Our rich history invites our prideful traditions to be passed down by these contestants through our pageant so others can honor their family history and uphold our deep cultural roots. The Czech Heritage Society of Texas’ 15 chapters include Bexar, Brazos Valley, Burleson, Concho Valley, Ellis, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gonzales, Harris, Lavaca, McLennanHill, Travis-Williamson, Victoria, and Wharton. Please contact a representative from a local chapter or go to our website at https://www.czechheritage-texas.org for more information about membership and representing their chapter for the Miss Texas Czech-Slovak pageant. Czech Heritage Society of Texas is a non-profit organization founded in 1982, dedicated to preservation of Texas Czech heritage: genealogy, history, music, customs, food, costumes, and language. We are proud to share testimonials from past pageant participants.
my culture, heritage, and myself throughout my reign. I was crowned in April 2021, and since then, I’ve traveled to many states attending festivals and events. I have thoroughly enjoyed every event and festival, and I’ve loved having the opportunity to represent all Czech or Slovak descendants in the state of Texas! Reigning as Miss Texas Czech-Slovak has given me memories and experiences that I will always cherish. I’ve grown so much in this position, and I know I will use the social skills I’ve acquired as a Czech-Slovak Queen throughout my life. I’m so excited to crown the new Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen for 2022 at our state meeting in West, Texas!”
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Promoting the study of the genealogy of the particular group of people known as “Texas Czechs.”
Madison Murphy Miss Texas Czech-Slovak 2021 McLennan-Hill “Being crowned as Miss Texas CzechSlovak has opened so many doors of opportunity for me. I’ve learned so much about
_______ Lauren Gerik 2021 Miss Czech-Slovak US McLennan-Hill “I attribute so many aspects of who I am today to the Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant. Serving in the role as Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen allowed me to travel outside of my comfort zone and helped me grow so much as a person. Because of this pageant, I am so much more confident, outgoing, and passionate toward preserving the beauty of the Czech and Slovak cultures. I have met many amazing people along the way who taught me so much about my heritage and what it truly means to be Czech. Through this process, I have also enjoyed learning about my ancestors, kroje, and Czech and Slovak traditions and history. The Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant paved the way for countless opportunities for me, and I am so thankful to have had the amazing experience to represent my culture and state in this way. It is truly a unique and unforgettable experience that left me with enough memories to last a lifetime!”
Submitted by, Kathy Podsednik State Pageant Director SPJST Lodge 54, West and Jana Vaculik —SPJST—
Texas Czech Genealogical Society Website: txczgs.org
For membership: Marie Dulak 979-324-7871
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Taylor Czech Chorus offers scholarship More than 10 years ago, The Taylor Czech Chorus proudly established a $500 scholarship that is awarded to a graduating senior of Czech descent. The selected recipient will have the scholarship paid to the accredited college or university of their choice. Requirements are: 1) Be a graduating senior in the 202122 school year. 2) Have a minimum high school GPA equivalence of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. 3) Provide documentation of Czech heritage. 4) Include a 300- to 400-word essay, typed, double-spaced defining why you feel you should be selected for this scholarship, how your Czech heritage has influenced you, and what your heritage means to you. 5) The recipient must live no farther than 25 miles from Taylor, Texas, [exception: a relative of a Taylor Czech Chorus member]. 6) Recipient must be willing to attend a meeting of The Taylor Czech Chorus in Taylor, Texas, to receive the award. 7) Submit a completed application and all necessary documentation on or before Friday April 1, 2022. Late applications will not be considered. Applications are available at local high school offices, can be downloaded from The Taylor Czech Chorus Facebook page, or by contacting Betty Zimmerhanzel at 512-352-6823. Monica Stojanik Lodge 20, Granger —SPJST—
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