By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Thirteen contestants will take the stage on the Sunday afternoon before Yukon’s Czech Day for the annual Oklahoma Czech-Royalty Pageant.
Historic Yukon Czech Hall, 205 N Czech Hall Road, hosts the Oct. 1st competition. The pageant starts at 4 p.m. this Sunday. Doors open to the public at 3:30 p.m.
“We invite the public to attend the pageant and watch our talent Oklahoma Czechs’ youth as they honor their heritage,” said Debbie Kessler, the pageant director and royalty coordinator.
“The purpose of the Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Royalty Pageant is to represent and promote Oklahoma Czechs, Inc. and Yukon’s Oklahoma Czech Festival.”
Vying for 2023-24 Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Royalty will be:
- Queen-elect Aspen Hein (17) of Yukon.
- Junior Queen contestants Kailey Gee (12) of Shawnee, Sophie Gering (13) of Oklahoma City and Molly Pruett (15) of Prague.
- Prince contestants Elliott Gering (10) of Oklahoma City, Graham Gering (8) of Oklahoma City, Cason Imhoff (7) of Sparks, and Cooper Mason (7) of Stillwater.
- Princess contestants Hailey Erwin (10) of Del City, Emma Fraser (9) of Edmond, Kylee Imhoff (7) of Sparks, Josie Jedlicka (10) of Oklahoma City, and Lucy Kastl (7) of Yukon.
Competition categories are private interview, on-stage interview and kroj (ethnic costume).
Queen contestants also compete in a four-minute talent.
The 2018-19 Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Queen Jerusha Smith returns as the master of ceremonies for Sunday’s royalty pageant.
Smith serves with Kessler on the pageant committee along with Dannielle Risenhoover, Jamie Mason and Janice VanBrunt.
Pageant sponsors are YNB, Metro Sign and Yukon Czech Hall.
To be eligible for Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Royalty, candidates must be Oklahoma residents of Czech or Slovak descent or legally adopted by at least one parent of Czech or Slovak descent.
CROWNING ON CZECH DAY
Oklahoma Czechs, Inc. will present the 57th Annual Oklahoma Czech Festival on Saturday, Oct. 7 in Yukon.
The new 2023-24 Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Royalty will be announced during a 4 p.m. ceremony on Czech Day outside the Czech Building at 5th and Cedar.
A royalty coronation ball will follow that evening inside Yukon Czech Hall.
“Our royalty has the opportunity to participate in various parades, festivals and other special events – not only in the Oklahoma City metro area but also around the state and in other states as well,” Kessler said.
“It’s an enriching year full of fun and service while connecting more deeply with our Czech-Slovak heritage.”
The Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Queen is eligible to compete at the annual Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant in Nebraska.
The 2022-23 Oklahoma Czech-Slovak Royalty will pass their crowns to the new royalty on the Oct. 7th Czech Day in Yukon:
- Queen Jayden Mason of Stillwater, daughter of Earl and Jamie Mason.
- Junior Queen Hannah Thomason of Yukon, daughter of Melody Kapka and Todd Thomason.
- Prince Rex Gering of Oklahoma City, son of Rob and Rachel Gering.
- Princess London Lippencott of Mustang, daughter of Sarah Lippencott and Coby Lippencott.
