1. LA QUINCEAÑERA A transition into adulthood

2. La Invitación LESHYRAM GONZALE LESHYRAM GONZALE Ceremony, 1/24/2007, 1:00:00 PM Ceremony, 1/24/2007, 1:00:00 PM Reception: 4720 Emerald Forrest way Orlando, Florida 32811 1/24/2007, 7:00:00 PM Reception: 4720 Emerald Forrest way Orlando, Florida 32811 1/24/2007, 7:00:00 PM Highlights: Slippers Exchange, Crowning, First Waltz, Toast, Musical Show, Cake, Banquet, Dance. Highlights: Slippers Exchange, Crowning, First Waltz, Toast, Musical Show, Cake, Banquet, Dance. Oración ó Mensaje: Hoy le doy gracias a Dios Primero que nada por darme una hija tan especial que hoy cumple sus quince años y deja de ser niña para ser mujer. Que el camino que te falta por correr sea tan bonito como hasta hoy. FELICIDADES Oración ó Mensaje: Hoy le doy gracias a Dios Primero que nada por darme una hija tan especial que hoy cumple sus quince años y deja de ser niña para ser mujer. Que el camino que te falta por correr sea tan bonito como hasta hoy. FELICIDADES Sentence or message: Sentence or message: Today I give thanks to God first for giving me such a special daughter that is turning 15 today and is no longer a girl but a woman. I hope that the rest of life that is left for her to live is as wonderful as today. Today I give thanks to God first for giving me such a special daughter that is turning 15 today and is no longer a girl but a woman. I hope that the rest of life that is left for her to live is as wonderful as today.

3. What is a Quinceañera? A Quinceañera is a tradition that celebrates a girl’s 15 th birthday. A Quinceañera is a tradition that celebrates a girl’s 15 th birthday. The celebration introduces a girl into society. It’s like her coming out party. She is now a woman and can prepare for her future. The celebration introduces a girl into society. It’s like her coming out party. She is now a woman and can prepare for her future.

4. History of the Tradition This tradition was practiced by Aztecs Indians for hundreds of years. This tradition was practiced by Aztecs Indians for hundreds of years. The Spanish Conquistadores observed the celebration and adopted it. The Spanish Conquistadores observed the celebration and adopted it. Why? Why? -----To convert the indians to Christianity.

5. History of the Celebration The Spaniards replaced the Altar ceremony of the Aztecs with a Christian church ceremony. The Spaniards replaced the Altar ceremony of the Aztecs with a Christian church ceremony. Aztec Dance became the waltz. Aztec Dance became the waltz.

6. Tradition In the tradition, there is a church service and an extravagant party. In the tradition, there is a church service and an extravagant party. A girl must choose God parents, who will help A girl must choose God parents, who will help pay for the party. A girl must also have 7 Maids or Damas. They represent her 14 years of life. A girl must also have 7 Maids or Damas. They represent her 14 years of life. A girl must also have 7 Chamberlain or Chambelanes. (escorts that will help walk the girls) A girl must also have 7 Chamberlain or Chambelanes. (escorts that will help walk the girls)

7. Tradition…… Items the girl must have: (Some items have special significance) ”El vestido”--- The Dress ”El vestido”--- The Dress Worn by the girl for her introduction to society. Worn by the girl for her introduction to society.

8. Tradition: Items needed - Corona- Tiarra – - Corona- Tiarra – ---Symbolizes a princess before God who is able to face future challenges. Also, means the crown of life the bible promises to faithful Christians. El anillo -Ring El anillo -Ring ----Representing the unending circle of life. Representing the unending emergence and contributions of a young woman to society. La Cruz ----Cross La Cruz ----Cross ------Signifies her faith in God, herself and the World.

9. Traditions: Items Needed La Biblia---Bible La Biblia---Bible ---To help her keep the word of God. El Setro -Scepter El Setro -Scepter ---Symbolizes authority and responsibility of her life. Ramo de Flores- Ramo de Flores- -----Flower Bouquet Signifies life and its and offering to God. Pastel----- Pastel---------Cake

10. Traditions: Items… La Última Muñeca--The last doll La Última Muñeca--The last doll ----Means the end of her childhood. Libro de Invitados--Guest book Libro de Invitados--Guest book El Album de Fotos-Photo album El Album de Fotos-Photo album La almohada-Kneeling pillow La almohada-Kneeling pillow --The pillow she will use to kneel in church.

11. La Fiesta de Quinceañera In Mexico, the night before her birthday, the girl is serenated. In Mexico, the night before her birthday, the girl is serenated. Also, before a girl can have her birthday mass and party she must have made her first communion. Also, before a girl can have her birthday mass and party she must have made her first communion.

12. La Misa- The Mass The girl starts her day by attending a mass in her honor. The girl starts her day by attending a mass in her honor. She sits in the front of the altar. She sits in the front of the altar. Gifts like the cross, ring, bible and rosary are blessed by the priest. Gifts like the cross, ring, bible and rosary are blessed by the priest.

13. La Misa: The Mass At the end of the ceremony, the girl places her bouquet on the altar to honor the virgin Mary. At the end of the ceremony, the girl places her bouquet on the altar to honor the virgin Mary.

14. La Fiesta After mass, the girl enters her party. After mass, the girl enters her party. Guests fill up the hall. The 7 damas and chambelanes are introduced. Then, the Quinceañera is introduced. She walks in with her father. Guests fill up the hall. The 7 damas and chambelanes are introduced. Then, the Quinceañera is introduced. She walks in with her father. Her father sits her in a throne and changes her flat shoes to heels. Her father sits her in a throne and changes her flat shoes to heels. Signifies her transition from girl to woman. Signifies her transition from girl to woman.

15. La Fiesta Los Chambelanes Las Damas

16. La Fiesta The mother changes her head piece for the tiara. The mother changes her head piece for the tiara. The party begins with a waltz danced with her father and then her chambelan. The party begins with a waltz danced with her father and then her chambelan. The girl gives her doll to her youngest sister or friend. The girl gives her doll to her youngest sister or friend. There is a cake lighting ceremony. There is a cake lighting ceremony.