Nos gusta la fiesta: Spanish I, III students prepare for a quinceanera
Photo By Tanner Riess
On September 28, 2012 Spanish I and III students alike gathered for a day of food, celebration and merriment. Known as a quinceanera, the day began with a welcoming of the students.
“Obviously at a quinceanera you would be partying your butt off,” sophomore Tristan Diep said. “It’s basically a rite of passage for Hispanic girls to transfer into adulthood.”
After a series of speeches provided by the Spanish III class, first year students joined hands for a traditional waltz.
“For guys it’s a chance to get down with some girls,” Diep said.
The waltz too was taught by the Spanish III class.
“[It will be] super fun, everyone is going to enjoy it so much,” senior Damian Brown said.
With customary food and refreshments spliced in between, students had the opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge of the quinceanera.
“Aside from the Spanish I classes being a multi-cultural language class, they also want us to get into the culture and not just speak it,” Diep said.
However, preparation for this event began far in advance. From the paper decorations to order of events, all were created and directed by the Spanish III students.
“Every class period for the last couple weeks we’ve been devoted 20-30 minutes to getting ready,” Brown said. “We went to different first hours, second hours, all of the Spanish I class.”
This event has been a part of Sunrise culture for the past four years. Spanish teacher Miguel Palacios developed this idea after talking with the other Spanish teachers. With a portion of the class being freshman girls, they would in fact be turning 15 this year. Thus, a quinceanera is very fitting, Palacios explained.
“[I have realized] that there are different people out there with different cultures, different traditions unique to their own region,” Diep said.
The event was held during first, second and fifth hour in the cafeteria. View the gallery below to experience the quinceanera for yourself.
