Czech Catholic Foundation of Texas announces Essay Contest winners

  • Julia Machacek
    Julia Machacek

    The Czech Catholic Foundation of Texas (CCFT) held its first annual Youth Essay Contest this past fall.  The contest was open to 11th and 12th grade students who are members of either CCFT, KJZT Family Life, or KJT Catholic Union of Texas.  Contestants submitted an essay about how Saint Ludmila influenced the time and place in which she lived, compared her struggles to modern society, and discussed St. Ludmila as a role model.    
    Madison Murphy received first place with her essay titled, “St. Ludmila - A Modern Day Inspiration.”   Madison is a senior in Abbott High School in Abbott, Texas, attends Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott and is a member of KJZT Society #104.  Madison is the daughter of Anita and Jason Murphy. The first place award was $300 in cash. In addition to her essay being published in the CCFT newsletter, it will also be published in Hlasy Národa (Voices of the Nation).  This is a Czech Catholic publication from a Czech mission located in Chicago.  
    Julia Ann Machacek received second place with her essay titled, “St. Ludmila and Me.”  Julia is a senior in St. Paul High School in Shiner, attends Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner and is a member of KJT #20 in Shiner and KJZT #14 in Moulton. Julia is the daughter of Jennifer and Russell Machacek.   The second place award was $200 in cash.  
    Preston Pustejovsky received third place with his essay titled, “ St. Ludmila:  The First Czech Saint.“  Preston is a senior in Abbott High School in Abbott, Texas, attends Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, and  is a member of KJZT #104 and KJT #107 in Abbott. Preston is the son of Kathy and Phil Pustejovsky. The third place award was $100.
    Madison’s and Preston’s awards were presented by Carol Filer, CCFT Secretary and Essay Chair during the KJZT #104 Junior meeting in Abbott, Texas held November 20, 2022.
    Julia’s award was presented by Carol Filer, CCFT Secretary and Essay Chair during the KJZT #14 meeting in Moulton.
    In addition to the cash awards, all will receive and icon of St. Ludmila and CCFT membership.
    The CCFT was established and recognized by the IRS Code under Section 501(c)(3) in 2018 as a non-profit organization.  
    The mission of the Czech Catholic Foundation of Texas (CCFT) is “to document, study, preserve, celebrate and perpetuate all elements of the Czech Catholic faith transplanted to Texas by immigrants from the Czech lands; and to strengthen ties with Czech Catholics of the ancestral homeland evangelized by SS Cyril and Methodius.”