Honor, pride, dignity and a commitment to preserving faith and the traditions of La Fiesta de Santa Fe are traits Santa Feans look for in the gentleman and lady selected for the roles of Don Diego de Vargas and La Reina for the 298th celebration.

When Don Diego de Vargas sought to reclaim the city of Santa Fe in 1692, he relied on the guidance of La Conquistadora — Nuestra Señora de la Paz, Our Lady of Peace — to assist him and his soldiers to retake the city without bloodshed.

De Vargas made a vow to restore the wooden statue of La Conquistadora to the throne of the parish church built by Fray Alonso de Benavides, though he died before he could fulfill his mission.

"The meaning of fiestas to me is a promise made, a promise kept as a sign of peace," said Vanessa Nicole Pacheco y Trujillo, 23, a La Reina hopeful.

The candidates vying Thursday night to portray de Vargas and La Reina at the Lensic Performing Arts Center have not forgotten that promise and expressed their eagerness to celebrate La Conquistadora at the Fiesta de Santa Fe competition

In front of a near-capacity house, the four candidates for La Reina and four candidates for de Vargas made their case for why they should be selected by reciting speeches in English and Spanish and answering random questions regarding the history of Santa Fe and the Fiesta. The event was streamed live on television and via the Internet.

Mike Cintas y Martinez, 39, explained how the Santa Fe celebration reminded him of those held in his hometown of Taos.
"I will use this opportunity to encourage younger generations to believe in their culture and carrying on this tradition," he said.

Andy Lopez y Sandoval, 45, who is actively involved at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, said that if chosen he would use the role of de Vargas to continue to honor and inspire faith throughout the community.

"My job here on Earth and in the City of Holy Faith is not done yet," he said. "I want to be able to tell everybody that we need God in our lives."

Many of the candidates also shared memories of attending fiestas as children and lessons learned from relatives who served in the Royal Court before them.

Manuel Flavio Garcia y Gonzales, 32, said he owed his success and his character to his father who had served on the court and said he hoped to continue to share the pride he learned through his father's teachings.

Steven George Anaya y Jacquez, 25, said the childhood memories he most enjoyed were "seeing the community come together and pull together to honor La Conquistadora."

All of the candidates expressed their respect for La Conquistadora, and Angelica Josette Angel y Madrid took her homage one step further by opening her speech with a prayer to the Virgin Mary. She said her faith helped her to become "proud of her beliefs and proud of the woman she has become."

Danielle Renee Chavez y Romero, 23, who has been attending the fiesta novena since age 7, said it has been a lifelong dream of serving as La Reina, a role she will fulfill with "dignity, humility and graciousness."

Tammy Laura Angelica Gallegos y Trujillo, 25, had always marveled at the sight of watching La Conquistadora being dressed by women at the annual fiesta novena, and when she had the opportunity to help dress La Conquistadora herself, she had a new appreciation for the relic.

"Her scars showed she had been through a lot on her journey with Don Diego de Vargas," she said.

The competition winners will be announced Saturday during the Baile de Mayo at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Victoria "Rainbow Flower" Vigil from Nambé Pueblo has already been named the Indian Princess.

Tickets for the dance, which begins at 7:30 p.m., can be purchased via Tickets Santa Fe, 988-1234, or at the door for $15 per person or $20 per couple. Music will be provided by Deseo.

Contact Veronica Cruz at 986-3042 or vcruz@sfnewmexican.com.