Sink crowned Queen of Light at Santa Lucia

The 61st annual Santa Lucia Festival of Light was celebrated in Stanton Saturday evening.

Elementary students dressed in colorful Swedish costumes sang Christmas songs and danced the traditional Swedish dances, directed by elementary school music teacher Marla Nelson, who has been involved in the program for 28 years.

A community men’s chorus sang “Skona Maj” and led the audience in a sing-a-long of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World.”

Each portion of the program was introduced through lively banter between Ole and Lena, a stereotypical Swedish grandfather and granddaughter, played by Ron Lynam and Joey Volquartsen.

As always, the highlight of the program was the coronation of the Queen of Light. This year 12 senior girls and nine junior girls competed for the honor. The residents of Stanton, along with open-enrolled students and their families, elected senior Rochelle Sink as this year’s queen. Sink is the daughter of Dave and Joan Sink.

The queen must be a junior or senior girl who attends a Stanton Community School. She must also be the oldest unmarried daughter living at home.

On the morning of Dec. 8, she must rise early to serve her parents/guardian breakfast in bed. The parents/guardian must then call a Santa Lucia coordinator to confirm their daughter’s eligibility.
Residents of the Stanton school district then vote on the queen.

Throughout the day, Sink and the other candidates visited and sang for nursing home residents and shut-ins.