My Own Quince Story

Name:

Marisol Figueroa

What did turning 15 mean to you?

Turning 15 to me meant I was no longer a little girl; still not a woman, but no longer a little girl. 

Why did you want a quinceañeras?

I wanted a quinceañera because it is what a young Hispanic girl dreams of.  It’s an ENORMOUS party just for you!  Where you get to have the prettiest dress you will ever wear, and everyone is there for you.  I did get offered a car instead of a quinceañera, but the way I saw it was, “I can always get a car.  I can’t always have a quinceañera.”

Tell us about your celebration?  (Dress, theme, location, décor, color, dances, party, court, family)

      My quinceañera was located at The Wild Wild West Ballroom.  The day was Saturday September 4, 1995 (the day I actually turned 15).  My dress was of course white.  It was big and puffy with ruffles; it truly looked like the “ideal” quinceañera dress.  I had no theme, but the color I chose was a royal purple (the color of royalty).  I did have a court, only it was all males; I did not want to share the day with any other female, plus I’ve heard horror stories.  The décor was cute.  I had Barbies in quince dresses at all the tables.  I created the dances for my quince, it was fun and easy plus the guys picked them up quick.  All of my family went except for my dad.  He was an alcoholic at the time and since beer was going to be served he did not want to “ruin” my party.  So, for the father/daughter dance, I danced with my uncle Mike (my aunt’s husband).  I wish my dad would have gone, but I am grateful that I was able to have that dance with my uncle because a few years after that he passed away from pancreatic cancer.

What made your celebration unique?

      My celebration was unique because it was on my actual birthday, I created the dances and my court was all males.

What role did your religion play in your quinceañera?

      Good question.  Let’s see….my parents are Baptist, but they baptized me and my siblings as babies in the Catholic Church (which Baptist’s don’t believe in), I did my First Communion but always attended Sunday school church at the Baptist Church with my parents.  Yet, when I did my quince it was at a Catholic Church.  I would say, “It was all tradition.”  But, I do remember saying a small prayer in my head and being thankful I had lived 15 years.

What is the significance of a quinceañera in our culture today?

      My personal opinion….not sure; I think a lot of the new generation just see it as a big party.

What are some traditions that you incorporated into your event?

      Traditions I incorporated….A Catholic ceremony at the Church, my dress was white and very appropriate, I symbolically did the father daughter dance with my uncle, I gave away a doll.

What was your favorite memory about your quince?

      My favorite memory….all of it....the dance with my uncle, a lot of people went the ballroom fit 500 people and it was packed.  It was a lot of fun!

What advice would you share with a girl planning her quince?

      Enjoy it.  Take in every moment.  Before you know it, it’s gone.