Vamos A La Fiesta

The Quinceañera is a Hispanic coming of age celebration for a young girl.  My niece Victoria celebrated hers on Saturday the 18th of September in the city of Vallejo, California.  Dressed like a princess with her court of young men and women, usually her closest friends, it is a rare sight to see teens in a conservative, formal setting.
The celebration started with a beautiful Mass at their parish church, St. Vincent Ferrer.  She is blessed and offers the Blessed Mother, in this case, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a bouquet of flowers.  She is consecrated to Mary for continued maternal protection from above.  After the Mass, the traditional picture taking in front of the altar.  Once the church obligations were completed, it was off to the Hiddenbrooke Country Club for a lavish reception.

Whilst the youngsters are taking pictures, family and friends are having mini reunions.  I was so very glad to see my cousin Amalia, her husband Gerardo and their beautiful daughter Tatiana.  Two cousins came from back east, Ruben and his son from South Carolina and Abelardo from Georgia.  Once the guests were ushered into the main dining hall, the festivities began.  The court was introduced and then the godparents, then Victoria and her parents, Rudy and Beta.  Finally, the paternal grandparents were introduced.  There was a father/daughter waltz; all three sisters danced and brought tears to many an eye.
After the dinner, the guests were treated to a dance they kids learned...mainly the waltz to contemporary music.  Some of the boys looked clumsy and uncomfortable.  The waltz is a tad more graceful than the moves made on a court or football field!  After their presentation, the dance floor was open to all with music from merengue to hip-hop to old school.

Last but not least, two of her friends from kindergarten gave humourous testimonials, as well as her two older sisters.  Then, the cake was cut, served and thus, the dancing continued.
I've never been to a celebration this elaborate, but the parents go out in full force.   Apparently it is the custom to ask the daughters if they want a trip, a car or the party.  Victoria said since she was the youngest, she would always be taken on trips, she could borrow her mom's car, and so she wanted to party!
Smart girl!