Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Owen | NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Sep. 30, 2022) Evarista Irby represents Naval Station...... read more read more
Throughout the year, the Rota community followed Evarista, or Eva, Irby’s journey of becoming the Dama del Rosario representing the American population at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain.
This time-honored tradition for the city of Rota had been extended to the American population for over 60 years. What was simply a name select in years’ past has grown into a larger program under the oversight of Brenda Navarro Castellet and Dr. Marcy Bond.
“This is a great opportunity for us to show the awesome relationship that the U.S. community has with the town of Rota,” said Navarro Castellet, host nation protocol advisor for NAVSTA Rota. “The invitation by the town of Rota to always have an American Dama from the base participating in such a special and important event is always an honor for us.”
The gaining senior gets to participate as a Dama, or lady, of the court of Virgen del Rosario, who is Rota’s patron saint and honorary mayoress. In conjunction with the Virgen’s holiday on Oct. 7, numerous festivities are held throughout the city including a coronation ceremony, parade, civic ball, and solemn religious procession.
Irby applied for the honor of the American Dama along with several other David Glasgow Farragut (DGF) Middle/High School juniors. Four young ladies – Emma Domingue, Eva Irby, Bekah Lamers, and Ella Scrivener – interviewed for the honor.
Navarro Castellet and Bond described the selection as difficult. Some qualities they look for in the American Dama is someone who is outgoing, responsible, culturally aware, and proficient in the Spanish language.
When Irby found out in late spring that she had been selected, she was elated and rushed to tell her family and friends – particularly her older sister, Tayla Irby, who had served as the American Dama in 2016.
“The first meeting [of the Damas] was the same day I turned 17,” said Irby. “The Damas sang happy birthday to me and it was a nice little ice breaker. I was definitely very nervous, I had no idea what to expect, and was scared to put my Spanish skills to the test.”
From this first meeting in early July until the Virgen del Rosario festivities in late September, Irby grew into her role as the Dama del Rosario. She explained that being a Dama has tested her abilities – both in tangible and intangible – such as sociability, responsibility, and time management.
For Irby, one of her favorite experiences was when her “two worlds were mixed” during a tour of the Rota base in mid-September. The Damas del Rosario visited DGF Middle/High School for a tour by Irby and her fellow AP Spanish students.
“When we go on trips in Rota, it's easy to feel like an outsider but bringing them on base, I was truly in my element,” she said. “Having my friends and teachers as a support system was so great, and definitely confidence boosting.”
When the day – err, week – of Virgen del Rosario festivities arrived, Irby was excited and nervous. Beforehand, she was most excited for the civic ball since that meant they had completed the coronation ceremony in front of the entire Rota community; However, looking back, she described another event as her favorite.
“My favorite part of the events was definitely the cabalgata, or parade,” she said. “Seeing kids and families wave and get so excited made me realize how special it is to be a Dama.”
Since then, Irby has turned her attention to the future and has begun receiving acceptance letters for stateside universities. As she moves towards the next step, she reflects on how her Dama experience has prepared her for this new, unknown challenge; such as putting herself out there in new environments, asking for help, and just enjoying the ride.
Irby will have a few more opportunities – Three Kings parade and carnavale – to serve in this role before she turns over the title and honor to the next American Dama.
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2022 10:50 |
| Story ID: | 435723 |
| Location: | ES |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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