Our Sponsors
The Miss Czech Slovak US pageant is a non-for-profit organization. All volunteer time and awards are donated. We appreciate all our sponsors, without our sponsors we could not give over $10,000 in cash and prizes to deserving woman across the United States.
Donate to the Miss Czech Slovak US Pageant!
A simple donation goes a long way!
$50 provides Czech or Slovak crystal for a scholarship award winner
$100 provides crowns for the national queen, 1st and 2nd Runner-Up
$250 provides housing for a contestant during the pageant weekend
$500 provides a special recognition scholarship award
$750 enhances the Royal Court's ability to travel across the United States
$1000 will allow us to recruit new states into the pageant organization
$2500 provides the trip of a lifetime for the next Miss Czech-Slovak US
***Ask if your company will match your gift!​​
GENEROUS PAGEANT CONTRIBUTORS FOR 2024
We are celebrating the 37th Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant and anticipate an exciting competition. This year we are thrilled to have nine (9) outstanding contestants vying to be Miss Czech-Slovak US 2024-2025.
Without the support and generosity of the following individuals, the Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant would not exist. Our colorful and entertaining national ethnic event stems from donations and sponsorships. In addition, to the numerous hours volunteered by the pageant committee, the following donors have generously contributed to the
​Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant.
The young lady crowned Miss Czech-Slovak US 2024-2025 will receive a scholarship of $2,000 sponsored by the Czech Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago. She will also receive a $250 educational scholarship in memory of John C. and Alice T. Rokusek, sponsored by Dr. Cecilia Rokusek. The newly crowned Miss Czech-Slovak US will also receive $2,500 towards a trip to the Czech Republic or Slovakia.
The Miss Czech-Slovak US 1st Runner-Up will receive a scholarship of $1,500, sponsored by the Czech Embassy in Washington D.C., and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago.
The Miss Czech-Slovak US 2nd Runner-Up will receive a scholarship of $1,000 sponsored the Czech Embassy in Washington D.C., the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, and Sokol Omaha.
The pageant contestants stay at the historic Hotel Wilber during the pageant weekend. Each room sponsor contributes $250 towards the cost of the pageant weekend housing. The 2024 room sponsors are:

​Czech Heritage Society of Texas
Czech Language Foundation
Czech Slavnosti
Miss Czech Slovak MN Pageant
Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri Pageant
Nebraska Czechs Inc.
Oklahoma Czechs Inc.
Security First Bank
Wharton County Czech Heritage Society of Texas
Wilber Care Center
Wilber Sokol
The pageant would also like to thank the following award sponsors. The late John and Lois Fiala sponsor the Grand Talent Award including a $750 scholarship and a $500 scholarship for the Talent Runner-Up.
Tim and Lisa “Karpisek” Messman support the Kroj category awards in memory of Lillie Vesely, Richard Karpisek, and Kathy Kubicek. Kroj awards include individual awards for Accuracy and Knowledge which will receive a $500 scholarship, and garnets and awards for Family Story and Poise which will receive a $250 scholarship.
A special Czech/Slovak gift will be presented to the Oratory Winner donated by Dr. Cecilia Rokusek, Slovak Honorary Consul of Florida, in memory of her mother Alicia “Fiala” Rokusek. The oratory winner will also receive a $250 scholarship supported by Candyce Vana Ingwersen.
The John & Lois Fiala Spirit Award recognizes the contestant who best exemplifies the spirit of the Czech/Slovak Heritage. A $250 cash scholarship and Bohemian Crystal will be awarded to the winner sponsored by John S. Fiala on behalf of John and Lois’grandchildren Adele, Lisa, John S, and Chris Fiala.
TJ Sokol of Wilber donates a $100 scholarship and Bohemian Crystal to the contestant with the best Sokol-like Talent plus a $75 scholarship and Bohemian Crystal for the Sokol Runner-Up Award.
The Gruntorad-Stastny Heritage Award gives a $450 prize scholarship and Bohemian Crystal to the contestant who showcases the most significant involvement in their heritage. This award is sponsored by Jerry & Donna McNeil, Jim & Caralee Gruntorad, and Bob & Eulalia Dory.

​​The Miss Congeniality Award is sponsored by Olga and Peter Ptak, who provide a $200 scholarship and Bohemian Crystal.

​​Our Cultural Preservation Award is funded by Kathy Podsednik, Texas State Pageant Director, and Pivovar (Radim Tauchen). This award highlights the contestant dedicated to preserving our heritage traditions and awards a $250 scholarship and Bohemian crystal.
The Božena Award recognizes the contestant who strives to make the world a better place, aids those around her, and inspires others to do the same. The recipient receives a $500 scholarship and a special Slovak gift. This award is gifted in Marie (Božena) Root’s memory by her daughter, Kimberly Horikoshi, Marie’s sister, Kathy Pagnatta, and Marie’s sister-in-law, Patti Turik.
A special note of appreciation to the following businesses and organizations for supporting our general pageant fund. Sponsors at the Friends of the Pageant level (up to $249):

​Czech Alaska Society
David J. Balkon DDS
First State Bank Nebraska
Food Mesto of Wilber
Phillips Czechoslovakian Community Festival Inc.
Western United Mutual Insurance of Wilber

​Little Sister Level ($250-499):
Maryann Sivak
Miss Czech-Slovak MN Board of Directors

​Royal Court Level ($500 - $1999):
Doris Ourecky, Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant Co-Founder
The pageant would like to thank the generous individuals who are members of the Miss Czech-Slovak US Alumnae Association. Amanda De Hoedt is an Anniversary level donor. Supporters at the Royal Court Level ($500 - $1999) include Candyce Vana Ingwersen, Esq. (1988 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen) and the Vana Family for her donation of $1,000 to the Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant and Alumnae Association. Ms. Ingwersen dedicates her gift
in memory of Emil and Betty (Sukovaty) Vana. A portion of Ms. Ingewesen’s donation supports
the Oratory Award and the Pageant Livestream. Queen Level ($2000+) donors include the Lackey Family.
We are incredibly thankful to our Hospitality sponsors Larry and Teri Shestak. Their support provides refreshments for our contestants and Royal Court throughout the weekend. Together with Laura Shestak Barlow they host a post-pageant party at the Sokol Hall following the crowning ceremony on Sunday evening.
The pageant committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their in-kind support. Bradley Kalkwarf with Kalkwarf & Smith Law Offices, LLC for acting as the pageant’s legal counsel. Thank you to the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber for the usage of the Outdoor Theater and gracious hospitality during the pageant weekend. The Czech Slavnosti provides generous print coverage for the Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant year-round. Transportation throughout the weekend is provided by the Wilber Care Center.
This year we are excited to recognize Wilber Floral as our official floral partner.
We are excited to recognize our "Little Sisters" who are escorts for the pageant contestants during the weekend. They are introduced during the pageant ceremonies and listed in the pageant program. The contestants and pageant committee attend a special breakfast sponsored in memory of Richard Mares on Sunday morning at St. Wenceslas Church.
The pageant committee consists of National Pageant Director Alexandria Cerveny Sandall and pageant committee members: Brenda Cerveny, Ellie Cerveny, Debbie Koslowski, Emily Manning, and Julia Ourecky. Other people who share their time and talents include Roger Chrans and Donna Stehlik, who audit the scores. MaryElizabeth Lackey who served as the ​Master of Ceremonies for the pageant. Kurt Kiesel, Russ Rezny, John S. Fiala, and Izzy Adcock serve as stage support. The 2023-2024 Royal Court including Destiny Hollingsworth, Drew Hejna, and Lauren Luchetti will serve as hostesses to the contestants at the historic Hotel Wilber.

​All of these individuals and organizations are partners in America’s most colorful, exciting, and entertaining ethnic pageant.
We hope all will join us for the 2025 Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant on August 2-3 at 7 pm at Wilber’s beautiful outdoor theater.

Queen Level Sponsors
Donation of $2000​ & Above

​Embassy of the Czech Republic, Washington D.C.
Consulate General of Czech Republic in Chicago​

Tim and Lisa Karpisek Messman of Unionville, MO in memory of Lillie Vesely, Richard Karpisek and Kathy Kubicek 
Nebraska Czechs of Wilber​




Royal Court Level Sponsors
Donation of $500-$1999

​The Late John and Lois Fiala of Lincoln, NE
Doris Ourecky of Wilber, NE​
Jerry & Donna McNeil of Chatham, Ontario
Jim and Caralee Gruntorad of Eldridge, IA
Bob & Eulalia Dory​​ of Colorado Springs, CO​
Larry & Teri Shestak of Crete, NE​
Sokol Omaha​

​Candyce Vana-Ingwersen, Esq. and The Vana Family (1988 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen)
​Ms. Ingwersen dedicates her donation on behalf of the Vana Family,
​in memory of their parents, Emil and Betty (Sukovaty) Vana
Candyce Vana Ingwersen Law Office​
Marie Root's Family - Daughter Kimberly Horikoshi, sister, Kathy Pagnatta, and sister-in-law, Patti Turik



Little Sister Level Sponsors
Donation of $250-$499

Dr. Cecilia Rokusek, Slovak Honorary Consul of Florida
​Ms. Rokusek dedicates her donation in memory of her parents John and Alice “Fiala” Rokusek
​TJ Sokol Hall
Security First Bank of Clatonia/Beatrice
Oklahoma Czechs Inc.
Nebraska Czechs Inc. ​
Olga & Peter Ptak  ​
Czech Heritage Society of Texas
Wharton County Czech Heritage Society 
Minnesota Czech/Slovak Pageant Committee
Wilber Care Center
Czech Language Foundation
Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri Organization
Czech Slavnosti ​​​​ ​​​​​
Kathy Podsednik and Pivovar 
Maryann Sivak
John S. Fiala​
​​



​Historic Wilber Hotel Room Sponsors
​TJ Sokol Hall
Oklahoma Czechs Inc.
Nebraska Czechs Inc. ​
Czech Heritage Society of Texas
Wharton County Czech Heritage Society
Minnesota Czech/Slovak Pageant Committee
Czech Language Foundation
Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri Organization
Wilber Care Center​
Czech Slavnosti​
Security First Bank ​ 




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