Amber began to feel the pressure of her Hispanic heritage when her mom and aunts would start discussing the possibility of Amber having a quinceanera. At first Amber was unsure of having a coming of age celebration but as all the commotion of the planning began, Amber and her whole family got caught up with all the excitement. Everyone lent a helping hand to make Amber’s quinceanera one that everyone would remember.
Amber is a freshman in High School. She’s planning on going to college to study to be a missing persons investigator. She is the daughter of Jose Luis and Claudia Pena; older sister to Jose Luis Pena,Jr. , Kathlyn Jo Pena and a baby sister on the way Aunts Veronica Sanchez and Estella Dautt helped with all aspects of the planning. Uncle Andre Dautt got into the mix by helping with Amber’s flower bouquet of pink roses garnished with white baby’s breath and beautiful greenery. Aleth Mijarez, who dances with the Karilagan Philippine Cultural Group, did her Choreography. A long time family friend, Mayda Garza, was head of decorations.
The ballroom was decorated with pink and white linens that were accented with cute fish bowls laid on top of a glowing silver plate. The ballroom was breath takingly filled with pink and accenting color balloons. The cake was given to Amber by Jesus Mendoza and Tony Martinez, Jr. and made by a high school friend of Amber’s mother. It was three tiered, white frosted with delicious chocolate dipped strawberries cascading down one side and topped with a solid chocolate capital “A.” Amber had a specific style in mind for her dress and after visiting many boutique’s she finally found her dream dress in McAllen, TX. Her dress was an elegant fuchsia, strapless dress adorned with intricate crystal designs on the bodauss.
The puffy part of her dress was rippled with fabric that joined in several areas and decorated with clusters of crystals. Amber’s mother has one piece of advise for mothers who are planning a quinceanera for their daughter, “ be prepared.” She states, “ you should put together a list of things you need to do on that special day because no matter what, you will forget.” She also advises to “have a good amount of cash handy just in case something happens and someone needs to be sent to the store for something as well as a travel size pack of tissues!” At the end of it all Amber stated, “ It was worth having a quinceanera.” She one day wishes to be able to plan a coming of age celebration for her child.

Dress: McAllen, TX
Hair & Make-up: The Wave and Macy’s
Tuxedo: Tuxedo Junction
Dj: Dj Eruption
Venue: Red Oak Ballroom
Linens: Red Oak Ballroom
Cake: Jesus Mendoza & Tony Martinez, Jr.
Photography: Tilde
Videography: Tilde
Church: Resurrection of the Lord
Limo: Crystal Limos
Mariachis: Mariachi Festival
Invitations: Tilde
Decorations: Family Friend
Cater: Red Oak Ballroom
Bouquet: Andres Dautt
Crown: Claire’s
Choreography: Aleth Mijarez

Joe and Diana Campa always knew that a Quinceanera celebration was something that they were going to do for their only daughter Jessica. When Jessica was told at thirteen that she was having a Quinceanera celebration by her parents “I had mixed feelings about it.” stated Jessica, “a car really looked good at the time”.
The idea of planning such an event with her mom brought Jessica around and the planning began!
Finding a venue that was available on the same day and time as the church was the first hurdle to overcome. Once that was done everything came together without a hitch. Jessica enrolled in classes at her church as a refresher for everything that she had learned while attending St John Bosco Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas. Jessica and her brother Joe Anthony both attend Catholic Schools in the city. I attended classes every Wednesday without missing a class’ exclaimed Jessica. ‘It was great to spend the time with my friends.
Jessica walked into David’s Bridal; she knew she had found her dress. The dress was a gorgeous white tulle, strapless dress with a delicate satin aqua ribbon tied around her waist. The bodice was stitched with sequins and beading that gave it an elegant look. Her ballroom gown would be topped off with a sheer bolero she would wear at church. “ The minute I tried it on I knew it would be the dress I was going to wear,” states Jessica.
Jessica's day was magical When asked if they would do it all over again, Jessica and her mom offer the following advice. “ Be patient with everyone and don’t sweat the small stuff and most importantly enjoy the day,” advises Jessica. Mrs. Campa explains how, “Planning for a quinceanera with ample amount of time is crucial.” “This celebration is an important part in a young Latinas life and should be enjoyed as much as possible, from spending the day with your mom shopping for a dress to dancing at the reception,” stated Jessica.

Dress: David’s Bridal
Hair & Make-up: Changes Natural: Maria Finley
Last Doll: Melissa’s
Boutique Kneeling/Crown
Pillow: Melissa’s Boutique
Church: San Martin de Porres
Hall: Turtle Creek Ballroom
Catering: Eduardo’s Catering (Turtle Creek)
Table and Chair Linens: Turtle Creek Overlay and Chair
Bows: Bridal Dreams: Mrs. Diaz
Cake: Alma Resendiz (Aunt)
Invitations: Diana Campa & Debra Gutierrez
Photography/Videography: Tilde Party
Favors: Diana Campa & Debra Gutierrez
Bouquet: Diana Campa & Debra Gutierrez
D.J: Jesse Lechuga
Mariachi: Las Altenas
Trio: Mi Tri-o Music
Mix: Sergio Gutierrez

Natalie had always known that a coming of age celebration would be planned for her. When the day finally arrived, she couldn’t have asked for more. “Everything was just as I wished it to be,” exclaimed Natalie. Her mother Rose Garza really wanted Natalie and her friends to experience the wonderful Hispanic culture and traditions that she had grown up with. Since Natalie’s mother and Herlinda Lira her grandmother were not able to have a celebration of their own, they decided that Natalie was more than deserving and they were more than willing. Natalie’s Quinceanera was truly a family affair; everyone played a role in the planning of this long awaited celebration.
Natalie is the daughter of Daniel Lopez and Rosie Garza; She is a high school freshman and is actively involved in ROTC. Natalie is currently ranked at 2nd Lieutenant and hopes to move up in position as she continues her ROTC career. Natalie is part of a large close-knit family consisting of three brothers and a younger sister. “We are a very close family and I can’t wait to help my mom with my sister’s Quinceanera,” states Natalie with a big smile.

Dress: Santa’s Boutique
Hair & Make-up: Delilah’s Beauty Salon & Bernadette Pena
Tuxedo: Tuxedo Junction
DJ: DJ Masquerade
Venue: St. Mary’s Magdalene Church
Cake: Cakes by Irma
Photography: Tilde
Church: Magnolia Christian church
Limousine: Elegante Transportation
Mariachi: Mariachis Imperial
Invitations: Tilde
Dama Dresses: Santa’s Boutique
Decorations: Family
Cater: Rosie Garza & grandma
Last Doll: Santa’s Boutique
Bouquet: Diaz Florist
Crown: Santa’s Boutique Pillows: Santa’s Boutique