LG Sisters Crowned Czech-Slovak Royalty

Sunday March 24, Madelyn Karstedt (right) was crowned Czech Slovak Queen of Fayette County and Lillie Karstedt (center) was crowned Czech Slovak Princess of Fayette County at an event at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange. The sisters are daughters of John and Bonny Karstedt of La Grange. They are granddaughters of the late James and Kay Karstedt of La Grange and great granddaughters of the late Ben and Lillie Zapalac of La Grange. Both girls are 7th generation of Fayette County. Madelyn is finishing her junior year at Texas A&M and Lillie is a first grader at Sacred Heart Catholic School in La Grange. They will both be competing at the end of June for the state title of Queen and little Princess. Madelyn and Lillie will be at events throughout Fayette County to teach others about their Czech heritage, tradition, and about their Kroj (traditional costumes) and about the need for their generation and the generations that follow to continue to keep their heritage alive. On the left is the current Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Katie Kostelnik of Hallettsville, who crowned the Karstedts during the ceremony. Katie herself will be competing for the national title in Wilber, Nebraska at the end of August.