Quinceañeras in the coronavirus era

Another way to celebrate an unforgettable moment

Newsroom Tu CASA Magazine

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Galilea Barraza and Adeliza Quesada have dreamed of their Quinceañera, or fifteenth birthday, since they were very young. These two Colorado-born teenagers and their families spent much of their time on Quinceañeras that would have taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both of their parties were canceled due to health risks. They shared with us how they felt about having to postpone their long awaited fantasy. They also told us what they have learned during these trying times.

Photos/ Anderson Gonzalez

Galilea Barraza was born in Aurora, in eastern central Colorado. Although American-born, she has developed an admiration for the cultural traditions of her parents, both of whom were born and raised in northern Mexico. Her father came from Indé, Durango, and her mother from Parral, Chihuahua. “I’ve always enjoyed charreadas, and I love música norteña,” said Galilea.

This ninth grader understands the importance of turning fifteen in her parent’s culture. “I grew up dreaming of the day I would finally celebrate my Quinceañera. I know that this celebration marks the start of adulthood,” she said. Unfortunately, Galilea will not be able to dance a waltz with her father and chamberlain on November 16^th, and neither will her father exchange her low-soled shoe for a high-heeled one. On top of this, she will not blow out her fifteen candles with her friends.

Photo Session

Galilea has already begun to live as a quinceañera. “We invited this young woman to a photo shoot to see how she planned to look on November 16^th, and how she will actually dress during her Quinceañera when it gets to be the time,” said Brenda Aguilera, director of the publishing company of Tu CASA Magazine. She continued, “We wanted Galilea to enjoy turning fifteen. This is her dream and of many others of Hispanic origin.”

At the photoshoot, Galilea wore her pink suit with embroidered silver and bronze rhinestone trims. The cut of her dress is classic with bare shoulders and torso. The quinceañera also wore her tiara, well suited for her outfit. Her hair was done by Maritza Vera, and her makeup by Anderson González who was also in charge of the photo session. Both of these stylists are professionals.

Grateful Person

Galilea mentioned that in the last three months, “I have been very bored and sad because I have not been able to see my friends or family. Throughout this time, I have spent a lot of time with my horses and other animals. I spent a lot of time cleaning and fixing things in my house. I have tidied up my room.” This Bennett High School student has been keeping in touch with her friends on Snapchat and FaceTime. “We also send each other a lot of TikToks,” she said.

During the pandemic, this young lady has worked to master her horse riding skills. Galilea is grateful. “My cousin and my godfather were infected with COVID- 19. We were afraid of losing them and we prayed for them. Thank God they are on the road to recovery. I am grateful to God for keeping my family healthy,” she said. Galilea would like to celebrate her fifteenth birthday with all of her family and friends in the future safely and without rush.

Thanksgiving

Adeliza Quezada hoped to celebrate her Quinceañera on April 20^th. She also had to postpone her dream of dancing a waltz with her father and chamberlain. However, Adeliza’s parents organized a thanksgiving mass for her attended by her closest relatives who adhered to social distancing norms during the service. In the Mexican tradition, the country of origin of her parents, if the Quinceañera is Catholic, it always begins with a Eucharist.

Photos/ Anderson Gonzalez

Adeliza followed this tradition. She participated in the mass and also took the time to venerate the Virgin of Guadalupe. She was accompanied by her parents and sisters. Adeliza arrived dressed in her formal dress, the same one she planned to wear on April 20^th. Her princess-cut costume had the national colors of Mexico. The bodice of the suit was white with scarlet embroidered roses and green leaves. The skirt also had embroidered roses and was quite voluminous due to the organza and scarlet red tulle. Her hair was also braided.

The quinceañera held a bouquet of red roses and wore her crown during the mass. At the conclusion of the mass, the Quezada family went home, which saddened Adeliza. However, the young 10^th grader says that the pandemic has helped her to develop the virtue of patience and that she won’t take even the smallest things in life for granted. She has not lost her joy and still listens to her favorite music, reggaeton and R&B. She stays in touch with her friends on Snapchat, and continues her training as escaramuza in the art of charrería.

Remember an Unforgettable Moment

In the following months while social distancing is still in place, Tu Casa Magazine will be dedicating the “social” section to publish photos of young people during their fifteenth birthday. “We want the unforgettable moment of turning fifteen to be captured,” said Brenda Aguilera, director of the publishing company of Tu CASA Magazine. For more information on this section, contact (303)-308-9486 or email [email protected].

Photos/ Carmen Mayta

Others Who Celebrated

Teresa Santos, an event organizer in Denver, says her business has revived. “During the month of July, five of my clients had weddings,” she said. Santos went on to explain that one of these weddings was celebrated in a unique fashion. “The number of guests was cut in half. Only 150 people showed up. The wedding and party took place outdoors while social distancing rules were followed. The tables were located six feet apart, and warning signs were placed all over the place,” said the executive.

Santos explained that the guests had their temperatures taken upon arrival. Each person was given a mask and bottle of hand sanitizer. Guests were allowed to choose between green, yellow and red bracelets, each color indicating the degree of social distancing the person felt comfortable with. Santos said that they set up a sign all over the place saying, “Spread the love…not the virus.