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.
-
Matt Gaetz says he's removing his name for consideration for attorney general
Matt Gaetz says he's removing his name for consideration for attorney general. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Gaetz to be the attorney general last week.Brinks truck driver robbed by 3 suspects on Indy's southeast side; 2 arrested
IMPD is investigating after a Brinks truck driver was robbed by three suspects on Indy's southeast side on Thursday. Police said 2 of the suspects were arrested after a brief police chase.IFD responds to fire at east side restaurant
Indianapolis Fire Department responded to a fire at the Four Seasons Family Restaurant on Indy's east side early Thursday morning.DOJ sues to force Google to sell Chrome over monopoly claims
The Department of Justice has asked a judge to compel Google to relinquish control of its Chrome and Android platforms, which could dramatically alter how Americans use the internet.