For Amilia Estrada, the mock quinceañera was more than a celebration. It was an opportunity to celebrate coming-of-age after missing her own party during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 11th Annual Mock Quinceañera hosted by the Latino Cultural Association was held on Saturday, Feb. 21. The event is designed for women who missed their quinceañera in their teens. SIU celebrated its first Afro-Latina quinceañera this year for Estrada, a Daily Egyptian staff reporter and River Region News Director.
Advertisement
“Being the first Afro-Latina quinceañera was truly an honor. It’s not just about the dress or performance, but it really made the moment mean something. I felt proud, but also aware that I was stepping into a space that hadn’t always been available,” Estrada said.
The event was a complete reiteration of a traditional quinceañera with food, dancing and symbolic traditions being similar.
“The quinceañera itself, as a whole, was absolutely amazing. Everything from starting practices and getting to know the court to when I shared the dance floor with my dad for the father-daughter dance,” Estrada said.
Advertisement*
“It was a little overwhelming, but really empowering. I got to celebrate culture, identity, and a kind of coming-of-age milestone all at once. Although I am not 15, being 22, this was still a kind of transition moment into womanhood for me. I’m really happy I got to share it with my friends and family,” Estrada said.
After introductions, the court of honor and quinceañera took to the dance floor for multiple choreographed dances. In the end, everyone joined together to dance into the night, and meet one last time at the afterparty at Hangar 9.
Staff photographer Daylin Williams can be reached at [email protected]
Advertisement
