New Czech royalty crowned in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Families are making their mark on the Czech Heritage Foundation's new Czech Royal Court. Three brother-sister duos, and one family trio, were among the members announced during this weekend's Houby Days celebration in Czech Village.

A new Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa also was named after the state pageant at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which included modeling kroje - ethnic Czech costumes - a talent competition and private and onstage interviews. Saddah Hadish of Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Steve and Mari Hadish, was crowned queen for 2017-2018. She will represent the state of Iowa in the national Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. pageant in Wilber, Neb., in August 2018.

Members of the Czech Royal Court serve as young ambassadors for the Cedar Rapids-based Czech Heritage Foundation in festivals and other events throughout the year, with their award-winning floats well-recognized in area parades.

Two years ago, a new title of 'Little Brother” was added to the Czech Royal Court, opening up the program to boys ages 6-12, in addition to Little Sisters of the same age. That underlies the driving force behind this year's influx of families.

Little Brothers and Little Sisters for the coming year are:

- Lars and Ingrid Landa, son and daughter of Craig and Christine Landa.

- Davis and Danika Robe, son and daughter of John and Holly Robe.

- Alexander and Grace Sherman, son and daughter of Peter and Radka Sherman.

- Myah Morgan, daughter of J.C. and Tiffany Morgan.

- Allyanna Pokorny, daughter of Michael and Angel Pokorny.

- Natalie Hopkins, daughter of Emily Zimmerman and Seth Hopkins.

Czech Princes and Princesses are between the ages of 12 and 18. They are:

- Branden and Victoria Knight, son and daughter of Tom and Karen Knight.

- Drake Hromidko Ainesworth, son of Heidi Hromidko and Mike Ainesworth.

- Rachael Brandon, daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Wills and Jason and Andrea Brandon.

Isabel Sherman, whose brother and sister also joined the Czech Royal Court, will be Mladší Princezna, meaning 'younger princess” and Jonathan Carrick, son of Laurie and David Carrick, will serve this year as Mladší Princ, meaning 'younger prince.”

The next event for the Czech Royal Court is the Czech National Cemetery's Memorial Day Service at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the St. Wenceslaus Church gym, 1230 Fifth St. SE.