@LibertyPublicat @libertyhspublications www.pinterest.com/tyearbook April/May 2019 Patriot Press News Team Volume 25: Issue 5 Liberty High School Talon Yearbook and Patriot Press Newspaper 6300 Independence Avenue, Bealeton, Virginia 22712 The Quinceañera Endures as a Meaningful Rite of Passage her brothers, sisters, cousins,and by Melissa Reyes that the Quinceañera is officially all the special people in her life ~Staff Reporter a young woman and that the doll and the people who she wants is officially her last toy. Another to share her special day with. very special ceremony is the coro- “I didn’t have have a nation. It’s when the Quinceañera Court of Honor because I just is given a crown and officially wanted a small party with just declared a princess to everybody my family. I wanted to be able that is present. The shoe ceremo- to talk to everyone in my family ny is where the Quinceañera’s and not just focus on dances,” father presents her with a pair said sophomore Katie Castro. of heels, officially meaning “I chose my Court with she is not a little girl anymore. family and friends I am close with,” The dances are a very said senior Wendy Velasquez. important part of Quinceañeras. “I was surprised I got They are not a requirement for picked to be a Chambelan of every party but they do make Elizabeth Padilla-Delgado poses for Honor because I wasn’t His- the night more fun and special. a fabulous photo session before panic,” said junior Khai Pham. There are many dances that a her Quinceañera. Photo courtesy The court can be all girls Quinceañera does. The first one of Elizabeth Padilla-Delgado. who are called Damas, or all boys is the Waltz/Vals. It is a special who are called Chambelanes, slow dance that is done typi- At the age of 15 every or a combination of both. The cally right after the Grand En- Hispanic girl has the opportu- Quinceañera traditionally wears trance. The Quinceañera usually nity to have a Quinceañera. A a ballgown of color and style of has to choose the song a couple Katherine Contreras’ outstanding Quinceañera is a special par- her choice. Her Damas typical- Melissa Reyes and her escort, months ahead, so that their cho- Quinceañera cake was made of ty that is thrown for a girl that ly wear matching formal gowns Nicholas Bonat, stopped at Bull reographer can add steps to it. chocolate and vanilla, and the comes of age in Hispanic cul- that are different from the color Run Battlefield before heading to The Waltz can be icing colors were created to match ture. Quinceañeras are usual- the Quinceañera is wearing. The the big Quinceañera party . Photo a very simple dance or it her dress. Photo courtesy of ly celebrated by people from Chambelanes all wear suits with courtesy of Melissa Reyes. can be a bit more extrava- Katherine Contreras. Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Ri- the Quinceañera’s choice of vests in a banquet hall or can be held gant, depending on the steps. can, Central American, and or suspenders, with matching ties in the family’s home. Tradition- The father daughter vary from bachata, merengue, South American cultures. The that are the color of the Damas ally before the actual party a dance is one of the most spe- salsa, to pop, and rap. The sur- Quinceañera can be referred to dresses. There is one Cham- Quinceañera has a private mass cial parts of a Quinceañera. It prise dance is meant to be fun and as a Quince Años, a Quinces, belan that is chosen to be the with her close friends and family. signifies the birthday girl’s first memorable for the Quinceañera Quinceanero, or a Fiesta Rosa. Quinceañera’s escort, he is called “I had to look up ideas dance as a young woman with and her Court of Honor. Quinceañeras have the “Chambelan de Honor.” on how we could do my make- her father. This dance is sup- “The most special thing many parts to them. Quinceañeras When it comes to actu- up, hair, and get my nails done posed to be slow and meaningful. about my Quinceañera was are mainly known for all the dif- ally planning a Quinceañera there I also had to look for my Court It gives the father and daughter that I got to experience what it ferent traditions they include, one is a lot of work that goes into it. and that was a lot of work,” a special moment to reflect over felt like to have one,” said ju- being where the Quinceañera One of the first things said sophomore Kaily Campos. the memories that were pro- nior Elizabeth Padilla-Delgado. picks a special group of peo- a family that wants to plan a Quinceañeras include duced through those 15 years. “My favorite part was ple to be in what is called the Quinceañera should consid- many different traditions. One The last dance is the sur- the surprise dance. It was excit- Court of Honor. Usually the er is where it would be held tradition is the Quinceañera’s prise dance; this dance is meant to ing because I could tell that none people that are chosen are the and how the day will unfold. grand entrance, which is when be fun and sometimes wild. The of the guests were expecting it. It Quinceañera’s closest friends, Quinceañeras are typically held the Quinceañera walks into her Quinceañera picks her choice of was one of my favorite dances to venue for the first time. She is songs that can be mashed togeth- rehearse. It took about one year to announced by her MC/DJ. Be- er to make a remix she and her prepare for the dance, get a live fore she walks into her venue Court can dance to. Songs could band, and put together my court,” her Court of Honor is called out be in a variety of genres in En- said junior Kimberly Mendoza. first. Typically the Court gets glish and Spanish. The genres into their positions for the Waltz or Valz that they are going to dance. When the Quinceañera, enters, everyone has to stand as a sign of respect. She then gets into position to start her dance. “During my grand en- trance I felt almost like a robot. I tried to stay calm and look forward, and played my waltz steps back in my head. I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” said freshman Katherine Contreras Quinceañeras include many special ceremonies. One Kim Mendoza is having a fantastic time at her Quinceañera. “It was really ceremony is the Last Doll. This Katherine Contreras Quinceañera Court was specically selected by her. fun; honestly it turned out way better then I expected and I definirely do is when the Quinceañera is given “I decided to pick some of my closest friends. I also picked some of my not regret going through it all. It was really a night to remember forever,” a special doll that looks like her family member who I have known the longest,” said Katherine. Photo said Kim. Photo courtesy of Kim Mendoza. on her special day. It symbolizes courtesy of Katherine Contreras. 2 News April/May 2019 Educators Introduce Unique Way Most teachers and stu- and assignments were add- dents are used to the tradition- ed and averaged out, teachers al standards-referenced grad- of Grading do not know most of the time ing style, but there is another by Jasmine Beverly what specific standards stu- way of grading teachers can use ~Centerspread and Backpage dents have not mastered yet. called standards-based grading. Editor Teachers that do use Mr. Chris Pierce is an particular educational level. The standards-based only “pass” Algebra I and II, Math Prep, system explains the expectations the assessment or class af- AFDA, Geometry, Advanced and material that students should ter showing that they have Math, Discrete Math, and Ele- know at each point. Teachers’ learned the skills and knowl- mentary Functions teacher in the instructions and lesson plans are edge needed by the standards. math department and has been guided by these standards and There are many benefits using standards-based grading they’ll work to make sure the to teachers and students using SBG for 6-7 years now. Mr. Biskup, students have the time to actually It provides meaning to stu- Address: 11077 Marsh Rd C, another math teacher at Liber- learn the expected standards be- dents grades. Students get the Bealeton, Va 22712 ty, has recently started using fore the course is over. This sys- chance to understand why they standards-based grading too. tem gives students an advantage receive the grades they did and Phone: (540)-439-9054 “One weekend, I spent of being able to easily see what the breakdown of how they did about 12 hours reading blogs on topics they know and understand on each standard, instead of get- this new grading system I was well and which topics they need ting a letter with no explanation. unaware of. Briefly after reading, to focus on more to improve. It keeps students and ATC Insurance Agency, Inc. I switched to the traditional way “Using this system of teachers accountable. With spe- of grading. I was getting frustrat- grading is great, It clearly shows cific learning standards expected Auto, Motorcycle, Home, Business ed with grades and I was tired of how and where the students from the beginning of the class Phone: (540)-349-3155 watching my kids give up or quit should study to improve or what the teacher knows what they are because of previous failures,” they’ve got mastered and students expected to teach.