Jefferson-Morgan plans ‘coming of age’ Hispanic dance for students
Seniors Carly Riggi and Calem Nabors dance during rehearsal for the Quinceanera Ball tonight hosted by the Foreign Language Club at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Sophomore Katie Wolfe, center, is flanked by Justin Tift, left and Kolby Kendall, as they students dance together in a circle during rehearsal for the Friday night Quinceanera dance performed by the students of the Foreign Language club at Jefferson Morgan High School.
Margoth Matteo, left, Spanish teacher and sponsor of the Foreign Language club works with students Madelyn Vandivner and Demetrius Johnson during rehearsal for the Friday night Quinceanera dance performed by the students of the Foreign Language club at Jefferson Morgan High School.
Peyton Noble dances around her dance partner, Taylor Eddy during rehearsal for the Friday night Quinceanera dance performed by the students of the Foreign Language club at Jefferson Morgan High School.
JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan High School girls are trading in their dolls for high heels and tiaras tonight for the school’s fourth annual Quinceañera Ball.
Spanish teacher Margoth Matteo, who organizes the event each year, said she started the dance to give her students a cultural learning experience.
“It’s a coming-of-age event,” she said. “One of the foreign language things we need to teach is culture, and why not give them something real.”
Matteo said the Hispanic dance is a family celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, equivalent to the American tradition of “Sweet 16” parties for girls. The name is derived from the Spanish word “quince,” meaning “15,” and “anos,” meaning “years.”
The dance, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the school gym, is sponsored by the school’s Foreign Language Club and mirrors the traditional dance in the Hispanic culture.
Typically, during a Quinceañera, the girl will be crowned with a tiara by her mother, trade in her flat shoes for heels and give away an old doll to her little sister, Matteo said.
“In a Hispanic family, this would take place as a private party,” Matteo said. “When a girl celebrates a 15th birthday, they have 14 couples representing those years and then she is the 15th year.”
The school dance will have 11 couples on a court this year, the most the school has had, Matteo said.
Those 11 girls will dress up and their parents and families will be invited to attend and watch them perform a waltz and merengue dance.
“Once the students participate in the dance they won’t forget it,” Matteo said. “They love it and they learn more participating in this because they’re learning while they’re having fun.”
Emma Frank, a junior and president of the Foreign Language Club, said she was on the court her freshman year.
“We learn about the Hispanic culture while having a fun time with family and friends,” she said.
Matteo said the 11 couples had eight practices to learn the dances and, for many of them, it’s their first year.
The couples spun around the gymnasium floor for one of their final practices Wednesday afternoon.
“This was totally new for them,” Matteo said. “They have to learn the dances and practice, so it’s a lot of work for them.”
The dance includes an authentic Hispanic dinner that is prepared by a Hispanic chef with the help of the school’s cafeteria staff. The dinner and dance costs $15 for attendees and is open to all students.
Carly Riggi, a senior, has attended the dance every year.
“It’s an occasion where you can dress up and have fun with your friends,” she said.