Penelope's Great Gatsby La Quinceanera

A Quinceanera is a celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday with cultural roots in Latin America. This birthday is celebrated differently from any other as the young girls is honored as she transitions from childhood to young womanhood.

Ceremony of the 15 Candles

In this ceremony, the birthday girl hands a candle to each of the fifteen people she considers the most influential in her life. She often makes a speech, usually dedicated to each of the person's given candles. This ceremony is also known as the Tree of Life. The 15 candles symbolize the 15 years the girl has "left behind". Each of the candles represents a special memory, a moment shared with each person whom she invites to join the ritual. She expresses her gratitude to these 15 people, whom she will tell how each helped her.