One of the most exciting parts of the Festa for me is the evening dance. After a day full of activities: the parade, the high mass, eating food in the bazaar while enjoying entertainment by the dance groups and bands, the dance is a final chance to have a great time with friends and family. We all know when we see the S.E.S. (Sociedade do Espirito Santo) President approach the stage, it's to make the big announcement. Who will be the next Festa President?

S.E.S. President Manuel Leal

For those of you who don't know how it works, those who are interested in being a Festa President put their family's name in a hat. If more than one name ends up in the hat, the hall President draws a name from the hat.

As S.E.S. President Manuel Leal approached the stage, the crowd hushed to hear the name. The only problem was, there wasn't a name. Instead, we were asked to wait 30 minutes to see if anyone would step forward to volunteer to be the 2011 Festa President. A half hour later, the second announcement was made; no one has volunteered to be the 2011 Festa President. The board (of directors) will give it one more week to see if anyone wants the job.

This is no simple job. Ask any former Festa President and they'll tell you it's a full-time job, and that's after your regular full-time job. It's a year long commitment of intense planning of the festa. This includes fund-raisers, finding volunteers to help with all of the events, attending tons of meetings, and always being "on", knowing you're in the spotlight, representing the Portuguese-American community of San Diego. The good news is: lots of people are willing to help and they do. The truth is: these Festas couldn't possilby be done so well without the outpouring of support in so many forms: emotional and monetary. And, let's not forget all the time that people donate to make these events a success. If we had to pay for the labor, we'd go broke and there'd be no Festa.

If no Festa President had been found, the bylaws (of the UPSES) state that the board of directors would collectively act as the Festa President. In the 100 years of Festas, that has never happened. However, there have been close calls. In fact, as irony would have it, the last time it occured, was when Evelyn Feliciano was S.E.S. president. In 2001, there were no names in the hat. A few days later, Manuel Leal stepped forward to to be Festa President. Nine years later, Evelyn and Manuel would encounter the same situation. Only this time, Manuel is the S.E.S. president.

In its 100 year history, the San Diego Festa do Divino Espirito Santo has never needed the board of directors to invoke that emergency clause. Would this be the first time?

2011 Festa President Deborah Ann Seiter

The Festa de Santissima Trinidade was celebrated a week after the Festa. It's quite common for the hall president to make opening and closing remarks. When Mr. Leal started speaking, he began by thanking everyone for coming and shared his appreciation for all the volunteers that helped make Trinity Sunday so special. That's standard fare. What was different was that as he was speaking, he was walking from the front of the hall to the back of the hall and he had a smile on his face that said "surprise" all over it.

The surprise? We have an official 2011 Festa President! Her name is Deborah Ann Seiter! Parabéns! It was a very proud, yet emotional moment for her as she introduced her family. Our 2011 royalty include his Royal Highness, king Joseph Gregory Seiter, Queen Nicole Leanne Giglio (not pictured), and small queen Arianna Marie Bonesteel.

Royal Highness Joseph Gregory Seiter

Small Queen Arianna Bonesteel

I know that as we start into our 2nd century of celebrating the feast of the holy spirit, that our Portuguese-American community will lend just as much support as they did in the first century!

2011 Festa President Deborah Ann Seiter (White jacket) with her family