12/16/2008: Professor David Henderson addresses club

12/09/2008: Young Koh recognized as Foundation Major Donor

Rotary's Black and White Ball in Guanajuato, Mexico

We have almost all heard about Quinceañeras. I was always somehow under the impression that the word Quinceañeras was the event until just recently, when I learned that Quinceañeras are the 15 year-old girls, who are celebrating their quince años (15th birthday). With that insight, in mid-November I attended the Guanajuato ROTARIANS annual Black and White Ball, where the new ROTARY reina (queen) was crowned for this year and fifteen Quinceañeras celebrated their quince años. The Quinceañeras invited friends and family to commemorate their quince años with vibrant and good food and lots of dancing! All proceeds of the event go to Guanajuato ROTARY club’s community service projects this year.

The idea of quince años is to present the young girls to society, very much like our understanding of debutante balls. The quince años celebration can range from a carne asada (BBQ) to an elegant comida especial (dinner) or to elaborate fiestas (parties). After engaging in conversation with friends regarding Quinceañeras, I was surprised to find out that the trend today for the most affluent families in México is for the Quinceañeras to receive a trip to Europe for their quince años! In contrast, in the pueblos (towns) outside of the major cities in Mexico the quince años is a highly regarded event similar to weddings in the United States with utmost attention on the Quinceañera.

The Black and White Ball began at 10:00 p.m. after the misa (mass) at the basilica. The Ball had no ending time, it lasted as long as you could keep your eyes open (previous years reported going strong until 5:00 a.m., however, like a good American closing time has always been 2:00 a.m. for me!). :) The changing of the reinas started the formal portion of the Ball. The city mayor had the honor of presenting the new reina and following that inauguration, fifteen Quinceañeras were presented. Each Quinceañera was introduced by their three minute video talking about who they are and what they like; after their video they entered with an escort. Their father met them in the middle of the ballroom floor to congratulate them and they reciprocated with a traditional quince años bow. Afterwards, the stunning young Quinceañeras entertained us for a half hour with various dances, among them the traditional quince años waltz.

It was a lovely evening for all.