La Quinceañera Ball

Alvirne High School La Quinceañera Ball

On  March 17, Alvirne High School School’s Spanish club held a Quinceañera Ball. La Quinceañera, otherwise known as Fiesta de Quince de Años, has been a tradition for Hispanics around the world, but what exactly are they celebrating? Well, usually when a girl turns 15 years old, a party with friends and family is held for her, celebrating the transition from childhood to adulthood. On March 17, we had 4 girls who were part of the court and as a school, we celebrated their maturity, and journey to womanhood. 

The girls in the court were Kristen Parziale, Kayla Collins, Abigail Conroy, and Annaleisa Rivera.

I asked them a few questions about the celebration. Every girl in the court was excited for the dance. They just couldn’t wait to be in their beautiful gowns, dancing gracefully with their courts. Of course, there were other perks too. Family, and friends celebrating you, and delicious food. Not to mention that the Court was the center of attention. The girls explained they were looking forward to having a good time with family and friends, spreading the Hispanic culture here at AHS. They were excited for the choreography the most. They think it looked cool with all of them dancing in sync. There were so many ceremonies that took place during La Quinceañera. Like, “La Corona,” or The Tiara, in which the parents or the godparents of the Quinceañera give her a crown or tiara, which represents that the she is a princess and daughter of God, or “El Cambio de las Zapatillas” which is a tradition where the Quinceañera’s father, or fatherly figure in life, will change her shoes from flat to high heels to signify her passage from childhood womanhood. 

We all know it must be a huge honor to be part of the court. Who wouldn’t be excited about a ceremony with family, friends, dance, and food? La Quinceañera seems very important to each member of the court. They all have their reasons for joining it in the first place. Although this may be taken as a dance, there is a deeper meaning. As I had said before, La Quinceañera, celebrates a girl at the age of 15 leaving her childhood, and becoming a part of womanhood. My final question for the girls in the court, was what this tradition meant for them. For some it was the equivalent of having a sweet 16th and feeling celebrated.  They felt like they were  learning more about the culture, and getting to understand this tradition more.

The girls in the court went to La Quinceañera Ball in beautiful gowns. They danced gracefully, and had so much fun with their friends and family, but in the end, the girls left knowing that they had changed into great young women whose futures seem prosperous, fulfilling, and hopeful.

Spanish Club Officers & Club Advisor Margoth Matteo