Keeping the Czech-Slovak tradition and heritage alive

By Ginna Young Two young ladies from Wisconsin are making headlines, as well as bringing attention to something they’re passionate about – the Czech-Slovak heritage.

Megan Moucha, 25, Drywood, is serving as Miss Czech-Slovak Wisconsin, 2024-25, while Trinity Pesko, 21, Phillips, is crowned as Miss Czech-Slovak USA, 2024-25. The duo was at the Cadott Bohemian Hall, Oct. 13, to share what they’re doing with those gathered for the annual polka dance.

Since Phillips is the home of the state Czech-Slovak festival and pageant, Pesko always knew about the events and danced at the festival, but never was part of the pageant. After her grandma passed away, she was trying to think of ways to honor her and decided to enter the competition on the year her grandmother would have turned 100 years old.

“And I realized, in her absence, some of the Czech traditions were slowly slipping away and that somebody needed to step up, and keep these going,” said Pesko. “I decided that would be me.”

When she was crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Wisconsin, Pesko visited the Bohemian Hall, where she met Moucha and convinced her to run for queen. After her required minimum appearances at six events, such as parades, Pesko then headed to Wilber, Neb., to compete for the national crown, which she achieved.

That made Pesko the first from Wisconsin, to be named Miss Czech-Slovak USA. During her reign, Pesko will need to make four appearances out of her home state, but since she is passionate about her heritage, that’s no problem for her.

During their appearances, the young ladies wear the traditional dress or croj, of the region their families came from. For Moucha, her outfit is an Americanized version of ones worn in Pilsen, west of Prague, the birth place of Pilsen beer.

“Very fitting to end up in Wisconsin,” she said.

As for Pesko, her garb is a south Bohemian croj or Prachensko, from the city of Strakonice, an authentic folk dress a woman would have worn for celebrations, such as weddings and church services.

“Each region has a different looking folk dress,” said Pesko. “That’s something you don’t find in other countries.”

At the state competition, scholarships of less than $1,000 are handed out, while at the national level, more than $10,000 in cash prizes and scholarships are given away, as well as a trip to the Czech Republic.

The girls’ mission is also to encourage other youth to get involved to keep their heritage alive, with three age groups to join: Little Siblings Shadows (boy/girl), ages seven to 12; Royal Court Members (boy/girl), ages 13-17; and Queen Candidates (single female), ages 18-25.

Candidates must be of Czech, Slovak, Moravia, Silesian or Rusyn heritage, with the next crowning in Phillips, June 20-21, 2025. For more information or to sign up for the pageant, visit czech-slovak-festival. com.

“It’s really special to be able to be the state representative and come to so many events here,” said Moucha, “and draw attention to the culture in my area, specifically.”

Trinity Pesko (left) and Megan Moucha, Drywood, visited the Cadott Bohemian Hall, Oct. 13, for a polka dance, dressed in the traditional croj (folk dress) of the regions their families came from. Moucha, who lives just a mile from the lodge, is crowned as Miss Czech-Slovak Wisconsin, while Pesko, a Phillips native, is the first Miss Czech-Slovak USA from Wisconsin, Photo by Ginna Young