Show I i v 2003 10 Friday by Arrin Brunson photos by Eli Lucero Cache Given the choice between owning her first car or being the guest of honor at a grand party one Cache Valley teen community welcomes its newest adult member with a church service a feast and many other traditions By the time she-k- Journal i'- Herald The ‘jWVjrV ' © CD 3?wK''P S ‘ v fri I i ' : I Eil ' i1 0 5 ' ( m “ tt V'VfA ' : V 5 W v ST ”' srf V- 25- K s‘tlMuttoMiMVuu iL ?2tf- - - j- - swt t : S-- $Jr '-- ' 31' In an event that combined the traditions of ' her Peruvian mother Betty Rivera and Mexican father Hector Rivera 1 y ear-oAngela Rivera celebrated her quinceafiera in the Smithfield Armory with more than a hundred friendsand family members ri A rning-::0&hhei- C SK&i''' r1 a fcY Cervera and Angela Rivera of Preston agreed to share lavish gown and dances with family and friends until the 'Vv Herald withThe hours of the Q quinceaheras joumalJji The traditional quinceanera rooted in the Aztec andp'ktkr: Theircelehrations were simUarvet each had differences ld - fc’ZpC For Karina Cervera of Millville die quinceaftera cel Top: tbui8 A Rodriguez ebration began with a religious ceremony Oct 4 at the St Thomas 6?f jaoses In Karina Cervera’s nome before the Aquinas Qiurch in Logan Although it wasn’t originally a Catholic tradition quinceaheras have become' a time for Church leaders to Quinceafiera last Saturday' teach young women about their faith and its importance in their yify Rodriguez who Cervera’s cousin was the lives At her worship service Angela wore a beautiful white gown bodice as she paid tribute: to the Virgin Mary with ' special man of honor and with a escorted her throughout the a bouquet of roses Ruben and Maria Teresa Cervera said they were pleased that v v 'J' their oldest daughter opted to have a party for her birthday instead Marisof she her said new Maria car of a hopes daughter Right: Cervera gets her makes the same choice when she turns 13 hair done by Victor Hernandez in her home isT''vV if mi' "i'!-- fV' V I " F iJ "Sir' ' r - ' ' M1 1 vjjy' Above: Karina Cervera receives communion from Father Clarence Sandova at St Thomas Aquinas church Below: Cervera watches cartoons while waiting to leave for her communion ceremony Wilt'1’ ' i ' t '? ' 'vm'v-S- ft'- - - - - ftfwL W tr JiK s'ts V-- W1 w - ' v ' '" aM Jf s 'PPr ! - s M- !( -- vt-l- rr-- t ’t ' 'V r v vvv- - ' j' " After nearly a year of planning everything came together on the last Saturday of August The busy day featured a trip to the hairdresser and then to the spacious hall " ' where the Rivera family and dozens of Oth- en set up a sound system decorated tables for the feast and hung dozens of blue and white balloons: By 3 pm die Armory’s largest room was transformed into a ballroom Angela and her honor court made up of 12 young men rehearsed a traditional Latin dance to be per--' : formed for the guests lain that evening By sunset the guest of honor and ha court woe on hand to greet guests in their firm attire At the beginning of the celebration the men dressed in matching tuxedos took turns sharing the spotlight on die dance floor with Angela Family friend Roberto Miranda 24 said Angela’s was not the first quinceanera in which he’s participated Miranda said these events bring some rich Latin culture to America ' “I love the music dancing and having fun” Miranda said ‘This is a really fun event with many people from many coun' ' V tries’’ ' r Angela wore a billowy baby blue gown with a that highlighted her youthful skin and long dark hair The quinceanera was an emotional and happy time she said “It means you’re growing up into a being a woman” she said “You stop being a little ' V-ne-ck girL” ' Below: Cervera dances the traditional waltz1 with Rodriguez Neither did Karina have any regrets about ha decision The quinceafiera is a good way to celebrate ha traditions Karina said a culture which she is proud to inherit and share In additipn to performing a traditional Latin waltz Karina and her guests danced to modem favorites To ha pleasure Karina said some of the guests livened tire party up with some break cousin from Salt dancing Karina was escorted by her Lake City Luis Alberto Rodriguez who kept her dancing throughout the evening After sending out elaborate invitations the Cervera family anticipated having up to 200 guests some from as faraway as California It came as a surprise when 300 to 600 visitors showed up at the private party in Hyrum Karina said Unfortunately as sometimes happens at these events some of the uninvited attendees gqt out of control and the celebration was shut down before the scheduled time Ha parents never got the opportunity to publicly share their traditional toasts with ha Karina said Karina said she didn’t know anything about the ruckus going on outside until the party was abruptly ended Although it is the oine part of ha special day she wishes she could change Karina stud she won’t let the incident ruin ha otherwise enchanted evening J She received many lovely gifts of jewelry and clothes and she event also has many happy memories of her coming-o“They say you look different after your quinceafiera” Karina said Sunday after her party “When I looked in the mirror this morning I saw a difference I don’t know what it is but I am ut 15 Page |