This Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Student Center, Eastern Michigan University’s Latino Student Association (LSA) will be holding their first Quinceañera. A traditional Quinceañera celebrates a Latina girl’s fifteenth birthday, but the LSA decided to hold the event as more of an educational and social tool to get more students involved.

“I think this is a great event to bring the community at Eastern closer together, it gives a chance for others to learn about the Latino culture and to have fun with one another,” said LSA member, Gilda Hall.

According to the organization, the purpose of having a Quinceañera at EMU is to allow others an inside view into a different culture and to convey the significance of a traditional milestone in a Latina's life, where a girl becomes a woman.

There will be components to explain the history of a Quinceañera at the event and there will be music, dancing and a sit-down dinner as well.

“There were many roles each member played in preparing for this event. There was a marketing committee, dance committee and decorations committee, to name a few. I was a part of the dance committee,” said Hall.

Originated from Aztec culture, age fifteen was when boys became warriors and girls were viewed as mothers of future warriors, marking the age in which a girl became a woman. Quinceañera traditions can differ depending on where you are in Latin America.

“I unfortunately did not have a Quinceañera, Quinceañera's are typically expensive, but I was still able to celebrate in a big way. I have been grateful enough to attend a few of them though and am very excited to be involved with this one,” said Hall.

Formal attire is suggested and the event is free and open to the public. Learning beyond the classroom credit is also available for students who attend.

“The Latino Student Association welcomes all students and we are all grateful to be able to present this event and to represent all different types of Latinos,” Hall said.

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