Community Backs Girl Following Sparse Turnout at Her Quinceañera Celebration
Numerous young ladies throughout Latin America (and elsewhere) look forward to their quinceañera, also known as their 15th birthday celebration. These events typically feature princess-like dresses, extravagant decorations, gourmet food, and large guest lists, making them as costly as weddings. Naturally, when guests failed to attend Isela Santiago’s celebration, her father felt a bit let down. To ensure that the leftover food from the celebration wouldn’t go to waste, he made a post on Facebook, inviting people to come and collect some for free. Instead, the post inspired the community to gather around Isela, providing her with the celebration she rightfully earned.
Parents frequently save for years to host these events, and nonetheless, Isela’s parents had to make additional efforts. Her family sustains itself by collecting garbage in the central region of San Luis Potosí, a task Isela assists with. Therefore, when news spread, community members contributed to grant her a second chance, dubbing her “the quinceañera of the people.” The celebration occurred on August 23, six weeks after her initial party.
A photographer gifted her a photoshoot, bands and DJs volunteered their services free of cost, and the local government even offered her a stadium as a venue once it became clear that attendance would be in the thousands. “I’ve provided sound for many quinceañeras, and what every girl desires is a lovely party, one that people attend and celebrate with her,” Jerónimo Rosales, a DJ and emcee, conveyed to AP. “It was terrible that she was left isolated, and I thought, no, I can’t let that happen.”
Isela made her entrance at the party in a red convertible, having cruised the streets in her pink gown before her grand arrival. There were tamales, cake, and soda available for everyone, along with a fireworks display. With more than a dozen performances at the birthday celebration, the festivities continued into the early hours, despite the heavy rain. “Initially, we envisioned something small, perhaps 150 or 200 people in a modest hall,” Rosales remarked. “We never anticipated it would evolve into what it has become.” The celebration was an overwhelming triumph, attracting over 2,000 attendees from surrounding states, including Texas.
Considering the numerous sponsors who covered everything necessary for her dream party, Isela requested that guests donate toys for underprivileged children instead of gifting her presents. Nevertheless, she was gifted a 969-square-foot parcel of land in her hometown of Axtla de Terrazas by the government, with assurances that aid would be available for her family to construct a home, alongside a scholarship.
“The most crucial aspect is that the celebration doesn’t conclude tomorrow, that authorities continue to support her so she can achieve her aspiration of becoming a teacher,” stated Illiana Ortega, a close friend of Isela. As for the quinceañera herself, she expressed gratitude to her numerous “godparents” for such a grand gathering and to all those who attended to commemorate her. “It was good, it was cool,” Isela shared with NMás+ regarding the occasion. “I was nervous, but I was happy.”