Gustavus Adolphus College

Rachel Schmitt after being crowned St. Lucia for 2008.

Rachel Schmitt

Gustavus Adolphus College crowned sophomore Rachel Schmitt as the 2008 St. Lucia during the College’s 68th annual Festival of St. Lucia Thursday, Dec. 11.

Every year five or six sophomore women are chosen to serve on the College’s St. Lucia Court based on academic achievement, spiritual leadership, service to the College, charity, kindness, and others.

This year’s court included Schmitt, Kimberly Braun, Sarah Cartwright, Amber Kirk, Megan Myhre, and Bergit Nerheim.

The festival of St. Lucia begins the Christmas season in Swedish custom and is traditionally held on Dec. 13. On this day in Sweden, the eldest daughter plays the role of St. Lucia by preparing and serving baked goods and coffee to her family at sunrise. 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 on the day of the crowning and a traditional Scandinavian smorgasbord luncheon typically follows the ceremony. Lucia is chosen through a campus community vote.