The Quinceañera celebration is an important cultural event for every family within the Latino community. Many families work hard to accomplish their daughter’s desire of celebrating her Quinceanera.

The young lady’s presentation to society varies according to the customs in every country. People believe that it was originated when the Spaniards colonized what is now known as Mexico.

In countries from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, the Quinceañera celebrations vary. For example, most of the South American countries do not have a religious celebration only the Quinceañera dance or reception. They do not require godparents. Instead, the family pays for the reception and the Quinceañera’s attire. Another tradition they do not follow is the switching of the shoes and the exchange of the last doll.

What cannot be missing in any of these celebrations is the waltz performed by the Quinceañera’s entire court—seven young ladies and seven gentlemen—, and in some cases military cadets participate in the ceremony. After the traditional waltz, they present other special dances. When they have finished with these dances, they continue with the toast and then the guests dance until midnight. In some other countries the reception starts at 9:00pm and the Quinceañera appears before midnight, while in other cases, she is presented before society precisely at midnight. Although the rituals vary by country and family origins, the objective remains the same: the celebration of a young lady entering a new stage in her life, the change from girlhood to adulthood and, with it, the advent of new responsibilities.