Queen
Juliette's message
What
comes to mind when you think of Festa? I know I think
of a huge Portuguese community
coming together to eat, to dance, to reminisce and
to celebrate our culture.
During this time, we pray especially for the gifts
of the Holy Spirit. I am so honored
to represent this tradition that we have been clebrating
now for 99 years here in San
Diego.
Since I was 2 years old, I have participated in this
Festa, either by being an angel my
first year, in a group, a court, as a princess, a side
maid and then the Little Queen in 1999.
I am in the kitchen as much as I can be to help and
see my aunts, friends and especially
my Avó. I have worked in the kids'
game booth ever since I can remember, and danced
with the Portuguese American dancers. It is absolutely
amazing how all these different
generations come together during this one week to enjoy
our Festa with its lively traditions.
The Holy Spirit to me is a powerful force. If you believe
in him 100% he will grant
you the most amazing things. I have to say that I have
witnessed his goodness with
my Avó and sister. They are both
miracles. They were both faced with terrible things but my family and I were true
to the Holy Spirit and
he has blessed us. My Avó has overcome her colon
cancer and my sister is overcoming her drug addiction. The Holy Spirit is truly
on our side.
I am so honored to be the 2009 Festa Queen and I want
to thank my parents. I had
a feeling they would do the Festa again but I thought
they might have just been playing with me. When they put their name
in I was shocked. It means
everything to me to be in this position and to represent
my Portuguese culture 100%.
I look forward to seeing every single one of you on
May 31, 2009! Sincerely
Juliette Simoes - 2009 Festa Queen |