INDIANAPOLIS — Valentina Guerra-Pena is just weeks away from her Quinceañera, a celebration in the Hispanic community for a girl's 15th birthday.
"It's another year that God has given you and it's a day that we celebrate kind of like a sweet 16," Valentina said.
Valentina's celebration will start with a religious service at St. Patrick's Church in Fountain Square.

A large portion of the church's members are from the Hispanic community. Over the last 28 years, thousands of Quinceañera services have been held at the church.
"So it's a traditional celebration, it goes back centuries and originally, it was an experience of womanhood, coming into womanhood. So a woman was eligible — eligible at 15, for marriage for running the household," Father Dennis Schafer said. "It's a dedication to Mary who is a model for women in being mothers and running a household."
After the service, Valentina is excited to wear her beautiful lilac dress covered in flowers that light up and dance with her friends and family where the rest of her celebration will take place at an event center. But, she also understands the importance of the day.
"I learned that the most important part of that day is coming and celebrating it in church because it's another year that God has given you," Valentina said.
-
Man dies in a firework-related incident in Monroe County
A 23-year-old man has died in an incident involving fireworks, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell selected for WNBA All-Star Game
Mitchell joins teammates Caitlin Clark, who has been tapped to be a captain, and Aliyah Boston, who has been named a starter, making it three players representing the Fever.Caddying for college: Local teen earns life-changing scholarship
One prestigious program is helping students pay for college, including for one Indy high school grad who caddied her way to a full-ride scholarship.2 shot, 1 killed on near northeast side of Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — A double shooting on the near northeast side of Indianapolis early Sunday morning has left one person dead, according to police.