Stefanie was crowned May 3rd at the 40th Annual Lincoln Czech
Festival and will compete in the Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant on
June 20th. She plans to sing the Blue Skirt Waltz in Czech
and play the button accordion. She will also be showing all of her kroje
from the past.
Stefanie bought a house in 2007 so she
is currently working 2 jobs and going to school for her business degree with
a focus in technology. Even with her sometimes hectic schedule she still has
over 20 events planned throughout the year. She is also singing with the
Czech Choraliers when she can and continuing to learn to play the button
accordion. One of the things she is striving to do is work with youth as
much as possible this year. She has contacted all of the elementary schools
in
Lincoln
and hopes to make several appearances at some of these schools through the
year. She knows it is important to get our youth involved and is doing what
she can to help with this. She is very excited to spend time with her Prince
and Princess and help them to learn about their heritage also.
Stefanie has several kroje that she is
able to wear to the many events she participates in. She takes pride in each
one as they are all unique and she is honored to have the opportunity to
even have one to wear. One theme is found throughout all of them, you will
find many hearts and flowers, this signifies her love of her heritage and
the importance of gardening and farming to her family.
On June 20th, 2009 Stefanie competed for the title of the 2009-10 Nebraska Czech Slovak Queen. Along with the honor of winning this title she also won Best Private Interview, Oratory Award, and Kroj Award. She will compete for the title of Miss Czech Slovak US on August 6-8th during the Wilber Czech Festival.
Stefanie has stayed busy representing the Lincoln and Nebraska Czechs this year. She has traveled around the state and to several other states attending Czech Festivals and parades. She has also made several visits to elementary schools and nursing homes to speak about her time as queen and perform on her accordion. In March she planned and hosted the first annual “Czech It Out” Children’s Czech Festival to teach children about Czech and Slovak heritage. She looks forward to more traveling in her remaining months as queen.
Stefanie would like to invite you to
visit her blog to keep up with her travels. You can also find a link
to future events and pictures of past events.
http://2009nebraskaczechslovakqueen.blogspot.com |
Jackson