MAROON AND GOLD INSIDE AND OUT—Simi Valley resident Elberta Barber's love affair with the University of Southern California began when she enrolled as a student there in 1922. Now, at 103, her school spirit still runs strong. A rabid Trojan football fan, Barber rarely misses a game on TV and was serenaded by the team and Coach "Peter" Carroll at the Coliseum two years ago. One of University of Southern California's biggest football fans, 103yearold Elberta Barber of Simi Valley, may also be its oldest.

In 2007, before the start of a football game at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Barber was invited onto the field to be serenaded by the entire team and Coach "Peter" Carroll, as she lovingly refers to him.

"Only Carroll's real friends call him Peter," joked Barber, who said she almost never misses a Trojan football game.

This sharp and sociable centenarian has many fascinating stories that she loves to share, but closest to her heart are her memories of USC.

"It's her life," said daughter Madeline Ellis, 79, of her mother's affection for her alma mater, which began 87 years ago.

Barber enrolled in USC in 1922. She became president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, whose letters, ZTA, she proudly pins to her USC sweatshirt even 86 years later.

Everyone in her family attended the university in downtown Los Angeles, including Ellis. Barber's first husband was a member of the USC marching band.

"The connections from USC were wonderful," Barber said.

Long after she'd been a student there, Barber returned to campus to work for 18 years as a secretary and receptionist in the dentistry department and the faculty center.

It was as an administrative assistant for the faculty center that she was able to meet adjunct professor and comedic great Jerry Lewis, as well as the nowinfamous O.J. Simpson.

"She actually liked O.J.," Ellis said, giggling.

Born in Chicago in 1906, Barber and her family moved to Beverly Hills around 1910. As a teen she took a train every day to attend Hollywood High.

"Going to high school and college during the Great Depression was absolutely awful and sad to see," she said.

But living through those tough times gave Barber great respect for the value of a day's work.

It bothers her that "some people sit and sleep all day."

"When you get older, do as much as you can—anywhere can be a place for learning," she said.

Barber has some tips, "little things" she advises others to do, to achieve a long, happy life.

"Eat wheat germ; it's very healthy and I enjoy the taste," she said.

Her secrets to good health also include exercising, avoiding smoking, drinking a small glass of white wine before dinner and being social.

A resident at the Simi Valley Care Center, Barber loves interacting.

That's why, she said, she appreciates it so much when young volunteers visit her.

Her favorites are those from Love on a Leash, a nonprofit that provides pet therapy.

"She absolutely loves it when I bring the dogs to her; she lights up like you wouldn't believe," said Camie Palazzo, visit captain for the Pleasant Valley chapter of Love on a Leash.

Palazoo has brought her Labrador to visit Barber for the last two years.

She made a special trip for Barber's 103rd birthday party on May 23.

Fifty people, including friends and family, came to celebrate with ice cream cakes, hats and decorations. Palazzo's gift to Barber was a very fitting stuffed animal—a USC dog.