This coming Saturday, scoey-d gets to do something that he’s never done before… drumroll… I get to ‘officiate’ at a quince años party (aka the quinceañera…) Generically, it’s a “coming of age” ceremony for Latina young ladies as they reach the ripe old age of 15 (hence the name, quince años, which means 15 years.)
From what I can tell, it’s similar in purpose to the bar & bat-mitzvah where a ceremony & party are thrown to celebrate the young woman’s entrance into womanhood, & also into society… You can read a bit more about this ceremony here.
My role in this thing as the officiant is to give a 10-15 minute ‘challenge’ or ‘encouragement’ to the young lady… I’ve watched a few examples on video of this occurring, & so far, I only know what I won’t be doing. I’ve seen preachy lectures, a soliloquy borrowed from Shakespeare (poorly I might add;) a Proverbs 31 adaptation (also bad)… so, rather than taking my cue from what I’ve seen so far, I’m branching out on my own into uncharted waters…
my question to you is this:
What advice, encouragement, wisdom, etc. would you give to a 15 year old girl? In the spirit of me asking for advice, feel free to let me have it. And I’d appreciate real advice as well.
Thanks in advance…
As I said before… I can help you with your espanol.
Seriously though, when I was 15, I wouldn’t have listened to any advice that any adult would have given to me. I will pray that this young lady will take in any words of wisdom you may have for her. Sorry, got nothing else for ya.
You are very beautiful, don’t hide your beauty . . . You are a gift to us from God, don’t be afraid to share your gift . . . You are worth fighting for . . . Don’t ever believe anyone who says otherwise . . .
I read these to Tiffany and she gave it her stamp of approval . . . :-)
Laura- I think you’d have listened to me… because of my great wisdom & wit. And humility. :)
Or, you’d have kicked my butt & told me to get out of your face. Or ignored me really, really hard.
TPT – very nice.
plucky’s got some mad skillz.
and yes, i would have done one of those 3 things, for sure.
I went to one of my students’ quinceanera when I was teaching in LA.
I was the white guy.
I didn’t stay long.
i would say dream big, think outside the box, you are one of a kind and no else before or after will ever be like you so don’t forget that. don’t think that because you are younger you can’t change the world.
just some stuff off the top of my head.
you will do great because whatever you do end up saying will be sincere and from the heart. which is a good heart.
I would say: no nasty dancin at the after party.
I was going to come up with something, but plucky’s answer basically summarized most of what I would have said, so I’d say I second plucky’s suggestions. :)
Post-15… it went surprisingly well. I had several people mention that it was a really ‘spiritual’ ceremony… they ‘felt it.’ The Sweet 15’er cried at the end when I gave her words of ‘advice & encouragement’ – I used Laura’s “when I was 15, I wouldn’t have listened to any advice that any adult would have given to me” & it really broke the ice…
Thanks all-
yay! I am happy to hear it went well, and even happier to hear you used my non-sappy words of wisdom:)
muy bien!