Sophomore Janet Jennings of Inglewood, Calif., was crowned St. Lucia on Thursday morning in Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College’s 74th annual Festival of St. Lucia.
Jennings is a Russian major who intends to add a biology major and follow a pre-med track at Gustavus. She is a Collegiate Fellow in Norelius Hall, Treasurer of the Pan-Afrikan Student Organization (PASO), a Peer Educator in the Diversity Center, manager of the men’s tennis team, chair of the Food Committee for the International Cultures Club, an ally member of Queers & Allies, and a member of the Russian Club.
Every year five or six sophomore women are chosen to serve on the College’s St. Lucia Court based on courageous leadership, strength of character, service to others, and compassion. This year’s court included Sarah Barnes from Prior Lake, Minn., Rachel Hain from Roseville, Minn., Kendyl Landeck from Moscow, Idaho, Sharon Singh from Rochester, Minn., and Laura Swenson from Eagan, Minn.
The Festival of St. Lucia is one of many Swedish traditions during the Christmas season and is traditionally held on December 13. On this day in Sweden, the eldest daughter plays the role of St. Lucia by rising early in the morning to prepare and serve baked goods and coffee to her family. Wearing a crown of lighted candles, Lucia represents the return of light that will end the long winter nights and serves as a symbol of hope and peace for the Christmas season.
At Gustavus, the St. Lucia Court traditionally sings carols through the College’s residence halls during the early morning hours on the day of the crowning and a traditional Scandinavian smorgasbord luncheon typically follows the ceremony. St. Lucia is chosen though a campus community vote.
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