Tribute to Santa Lucia

Students, teachers and members of the Scandinavian American Foundation filled Samuelson Chapel for a traditional Scandinavian holiday celebration Wednesday at California Lutheran University.

The Santa Lucia Festival of Light is held each December throughout Scandinavia, combining a celebration to brighten the dark days of winter with a tribute to a saint who represents the tradition of Christian service.

Roberta Gaugert, a 22-year-old senior from Phoenix, was elected by the student body at the private Thousand Oaks university to represent Santa Lucia and was escorted into the chapel by a retinue of student attendants.

"When I found out I had got it, my jaw dropped," said Gaugert, who learned she'd been chosen via e-mail while participating in the Reserve Officers Training Corps in preparation for joining the Air Force. "Nobody around me knew what it meant. I tried to say that there's this saint who had these really great qualities and I get to represent her. They get the integrity thing very well, but they don't understand the saint part as much."

Lucia was a young woman of noble birth who lived in third century Sicily. In the year 304, she rejected a suitor chosen for her by her parents and revealed she had dedicated herself to Christ and the service of the poor, according to historical accounts. She was burned at the stake for her faith.

One of the responsibilities of the student representing Santa Lucia is to wear a crown with seven candles on it, which are lit during the service in recognition of her qualities of service, sympathy, thanksgiving, kindness, humility, purity and mercy.

"CLU has had a powerful impact on my life," Gaugert told those who attended the special service. "Many of you embody the same qualities that Santa Lucia herself had. Everyone around here is a reminder to constantly put these things at the forefront of my life, and I am just one candle among so many. I am deeply humbled."

Immigrants brought their devotion to Santa Lucia to North America, and the Festival of Light has been celebrated at CLU since the earliest years of the university, making it one of the oldest and most beloved of CLU traditions.

"It's a great tradition. I love it," said Barbara Paul, an administrative assistant in CLU's School of Education who makes a point of attending the festival every year.

"I think it's really great that CLU carries on the tradition, because it's very interesting. I had never heard about it before I came here and I really enjoy it," said Megan Springer, 19, a sophomore from Minnesota.

The celebration also included another CLU tradition — the presentation of two Inspiration Awards, one to a staff member and one to a student. President Chris Kimball said the awards are given to individuals who "have steadily inspired others toward spiritual and intellectual growth and service and leadership while at CLU."

Vicki Ferrell, who has run the Centrum Café on campus since August 2003, received the faculty/staff Inspiration Award. Kimball described her as someone known for a "gracious and welcoming presence" and said her "dedication to faculty and students shines through in her work, her words and her deeds."

Senior Victoria Lopez, whom Kimball called "a wonderful asset to this community for the past four years," received the student award. Lopez volunteers her time to mentor students and help with community service projects while focusing on a future career in criminal justice.

"Wherever she contributes, she does so with class, humility and dignity," Kimball said.

--- Published in the Ventura County Star on Dec. 11, 2008