21st Annual CHS Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant held July 22

  • Winners in the 2023 Czech Heritage Society Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant were, left to right, Czech-Slovak Little Prince Lincoln Holecek, Czech-Slovak Junior Queen Grace Moravec, Czech-Slovak Queen Katie Kostelnik, Czech-Slovak Little Princess Mabry Sustala. Photo by Gene Cerny.
    Winners in the 2023 Czech Heritage Society Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant were, left to right, Czech-Slovak Little Prince Lincoln Holecek, Czech-Slovak Junior Queen Grace Moravec, Czech-Slovak Queen Katie Kostelnik, Czech-Slovak Little Princess Mabry Sustala. Photo by Gene Cerny.

    The 21st Annual Czech Heritage Society Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant 2023 and the 1st Annual CHS Texas Youth Royalty Pageant 2023 hosted by the Lavaca County Chapter were held at the KC Hall in Hallettsville on Saturday, July 22.
    Winners of the Queen Pageant were Queen Katie (Kathryn) Kostelnik (Lavaca CHS) and Runner-up Emerson Uptmor (McLennan-Hill CHS).
    Winners for the Youth Royalty were: Little Prince Lincoln Holecek - (McLennan-Hill CHS); Little Princess Mabry Sustala— (McLennan-Hill CHS); Runner-up Little Princess Pearl Gibson— (Wharton CHS); Junior Queen Grace Moravec (Brazos Valley CHS); Runner-up Junior Queens: Marley Gibson (Wharton CHS), Amberly Payne (Ellis CHS) Gabbie Salazar (McLennan-Hill CHS).
    James Steffek, Lavaca County CHS President, conducted the morning opening ceremonies that included the flag presentation and Pledge of Allegiance by the American Legion Sweet Home Post 571, singing of the USA, Czech Republic and Slovakia National Anthems led by Destiny and Natalie Hollingsworth-2022-23 Royalty, Invocation by Father Michael Rother, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and welcome by Audrey Vaclavic Barrera, Hallettsville Mayor Pro tem.
    The Youth and Queen Pageant competition conducted by Emcee John Gerik followed.  It included Kroj modeling, talent, and on-stage interviews.  Kathy Podsednik and Lauren Gerik were the pageant directors.
    During the breaks attendees perused the vendor booths, displays and silent auction items.  The lunch, consisting of roast beef and all the trimmings, was catered by Albert Pozzi.
    Afternoon activities began with the crowning of the 2023 CHS Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen and Youth Royalty followed by the state business meeting conducted by E. J. Biskup, CHS State President.