Oficiante: Jeff Locker

​

Quinceañera:  Celia Cowles

​

Chambelán de Honor:  Gabriel Cowles

​

Damas y Chambelanes: 

Emma Benson

Callie Cho

Kaitlyn Falke

Helena Girardoni

Kiki Hood

Conor Jones

Annika Katz

Clint LaRoux

Julian Luebbers

Jack Miller

Katie Moss

Aiden Tindall

Belle Walston

Iin absentia: Emily Torrance)

​

Padrinos: 

Padrinos de Honor - Paul and Nyree Whyte

Padrinos de Cetro - Laura and Ken Cho, and Callie and Eliza 

Padrinos de Copa y Cuchara - Karen and Ray Brimble, and Noelle and Ben

Madrina de Libros - Diane La Grone 

Padrinos de Muñeca - Rebecca and Alex Walston, and Belle and Penelope 

Padrinos de Pulsera - Mary Wolf and Ron Moss, and Katie 

Padrino de Ramo - Jeff Shoup 

Padrinos de Vela - Cece and David Katz, and Annika and Maddie 

Padrinos de Zapatillos - Virginia and Corey Jones, and Conor and Ava

 

Guardia de Ramo

Anna Juarez Bowlin

​

Oradoras de Bendiciones

Margaret Cowles

Lourdes Reindl 

​

Oficiante de Juramento

Sean Fleming

​

Abuelos:

Kathleen Hernandez

A.J. Hernandez

James P. Cowles

 

Padres:

Katelena Hernandez Cowles

James Cowles
 

Processional: <<Todo Cambio, recorded by Gina Chavez>>

​

CEREMONY:

 

JEFF:

Bienvenidos, Celia, y Bienvenidos a todos!

 

Latin American tradition says that when a girl reaches 15, she officially becomes an adult part of the community. In the past, that meant she was ready to marry, and soon after that, to become a mother. Times have changed! In 2016, Celia, la Quinceanera, fifteen marks the threshold when you, as a young woman, start to make your own decisions about how you will study, work, and vote, and to decide where, how, and with whom you spend your life. These guests before us, who know and love you, are here to mark this moment and to give their blessings as you go forward.

 

Among these wonderful people are a few families and people who have played extra-special roles in your life as you grew up. You and your family are grateful for their contributions in your and our family’s lives. These Padrinos will be helping us present to you gifts that signify  attributes they hope you have in your life, now and always.  

 

Los Padrinos de Muñeca, Rebecca, Alex, Belle, and Penelope Walston, present Celia with her Last Doll, which symbolizes Innocence. 

​

(Walston family gathers; Rebecca steps to microphone; Penelope brings doll to Celia as Rebecca speaks)

 

REBECCA: 

As your Girl Scout Leader and mom to Belle, I have enjoyed watching you grow up. You are no longer a girl, but I hope you will always keep the curiosity, trust, imagination, openness and optimism that make childhood so precious. This last doll is an UglyDoll, which has been your favorite kind of doll since you were little. It reflects a quality you’ve had from the beginning: You never require that the paths you choose, or the friends you make, fit any mold. When others see something or someone different as ugly and want to reject them, you recognize the extraordinary and the good and welcome them in. 

 

(Penelope returns doll to table, Walston family sits down )

 

​

​

JEFF:

La Madrina de Libros, Diane LaGrone, will now present Celia with the gift of books, which symbolize Lifelong Learning.

​

(Diane comes to microphone, gestures to pile of books)

 

DIANE:  Celia, your bright curiosity and enthusiasm for discussion made you a joy of  a student in my English class at Paragon Prep. Keep your passion for learning alive throughout your life! Learning is never done. Open your eyes to many viewpoints and your mind to new experiences. When you don’t know something, find someone who does. In this world of sound bites and rapidly forwarded links, always seek the full answer, the honest answer, the grounded answer to any question. This small set of books is a good place to start.

​

(Diane is seated)

 

JEFF:

Los Padrinos de Zapatillos, Virginia, Corey, Conor, and Ava Jones, present Celia’s official first pair of high-heeled shoes, which symbolize Self-Confidence.

​

(Jones family gathers; Virginia steps to microphone; Ava brings shoes on pillow to Celia as Virginia speaks)

 

VIRGINIA: Celia, I’ve known you since you were wearing your first pairs of baby shoes. Your mom told me on the day you first tried on a pair of heels that you looked in the mirror and exclaimed: They’re like self-confidence, only shoes!  Tonight, when your father changes your sandals to heels, we hope you’ll take on that self-confidence as part of your being. Enjoy being a woman, with all that that entails. Embrace your uniqueness. Shine your light brightly. Love your body and mind, exactly the way they are, and know without question you are beautiful inside and out.  (Virginia)

 

(Ava returns shoes to table, Jones family sits down)

 

JEFF:

El Padrino de Ramo, Jeff Shoup, and Celia's Great-Aunt, Anna Juarez Bowlin, present the honor bouquet, which symbolizes Heritage.

​

(Mr. Shoup steps to microphone; Aunt Anna walks the bouquet to Celia, gives her a kiss, she sits down)

 

MR. SHOUP: As your Latin teacher, I know you love history. Your own history is a rich mix of loving, industrious ancestors from Latin America and Europe. Your life now is a direct result of their hard work, devotion, ingenuity, and sacrifices. Remember and honor those who came before you, their values, and the cultures they held dear. Share those gifts with those that will follow you. On this day when you come of age as a woman, you should pay special tribute to the elder wise women you have known and lost: your great-grandmothers, your great-tias, and your grandmother. They are smiling in celebration alongside all of us. In their memory, Celia, take this bouquet, and lay it in honor of them and all your foremothers.

​

(Mr. Shoup sits down; Celia rises, walks over, and lays bouquet at altar, as song plays)

​

<<Song by Lizzie, guitar by Ken: "I Am Your Child" by Barry Manilow>>

​

I am your child

Wherever you go
You take me too
Whatever I know
I learned from you

Whatever I do
You taught me to do
I am your child

And I am your chance

​

Whatever will come
Will come from me
Tomorrow is won
By winning me

Whatever I am
You taught me to be
I am your hope
I am your chance
I am your child

 

JEFF:

Los Padrinos de Vela, Cece, David, Annika, and Maddie Katz, present a candle and holder to signify Creativity.

​

(Katz family gathers; CeCe steps to microphone; Maddie brings candlestick to Celia as CeCe speaks)

​

CECE: Celia, my daughter Annika and you have been special friends all through middle school. You connected over your mutual love of drawing and drama and storytelling. Creativity is essential in the arts and at work, but also in facing the trials and tribulations of every day.  While tradition is important, it is just as important to be open to reinvention. Remember there is never only one way to resolve a problem. Use the spark of inspiration to find new solutions and the light of imagination to illuminate dreams of a kinder, brighter, better world.

​

(Maddie returns candle to table, Katz family sits down, Annika returns to court)

​

JEFF:

Los Padrinos de Pulsera, Mary Wolf, Ron Moss, and Katie Moss, present Celia with a bracelet to signify Self-Worth.

​

(Moss family gathers; Mary steps to microphone; Katie brings bracelet to Celia as Mary speaks)

​

MARY: Celia, I’ve watched over you as an extra mom at preschool, Girl Scouts, and in our mother-daughter group. This bracelet was handmade in Mexico by artisans in the great silver-working  town Taxco, Guerrero. It is a valuable thing that should be treasured, just as you, body and soul, are something to be treasured. Never let anyone belittle you, treat you poorly, or cause you harm. Do not be quick to give yourself up to anyone who does not fully respect you as a person, in your friendships, your relationships, or your career. Those who are worthy of your love, time, and talents will prove it by treating you well.

​

(Katie puts bracelet on Celia; Mary and Ron sit down; Katie returns to court)

 

JEFF:

Los Padrinos de Cetro, Laura, Ken, Callie, and Eliza Cho, present a Scepter to symbolize Responsibility.

​

(Cho Family gathers; Laura steps to microphone; Eliza brings scepter to Celia as Laura speaks)

​

LAURA: Celia, our families have known each other and volunteered together since you were a preschooler.  We are glad to see that you have a heart for service, leadership, and social justice. As you become a woman, you are entrusted with the care of yourself, your family, your community, your country and your world. When you move through the world, try to make each community you are in a better place than you found it. Sow the seeds of unity and compassion instead of division and distrust. Steward well the gifts you have been given, and share them wisely to make life better for others.

​

(Eliza hands scepter to Celia; Cho family sits down; Callie returns to court) 

 

JEFF: Los Padrinos de Chuchara y Copa, Karen and Ray Brimble, present Celia with cake servers and a toasting glass to signify Celebration.

 

 (Brimble Family gathers; Karen steps to microphone; Ray brings glass and servers to Celia as Karen speaks)

KAREN: Celia, our families have lived next to each other and celebrated Santa Lucia Day together since you were tiny. You are a little ball of sparkle, and I hope you always will be! Take time to celebrate! Although there are serious things in life that must be dealt with, if you focus only on the problems of life you will miss all the joy. Laugh! Dance! Be silly! Enjoy life and share precious moments with friends and family. Savor the sweetness of a job well done and celebrate the positives that come out of every day. 

​

(Ray returns objects to table; Brimble family sits down.) 

 

JEFF: Celia’s godparents and Los Padrinos de Honor, Paul and Nyree Whyte, will be presenting the kneeling pillow, which represents Humility.

​

 (Paul and Nyree come to front; Nyree steps to microphone; Paul brings pillow to front to show Celia')

 

NYREE: Celia, Paul and I are so proud of the way you’ve grown and how much you take on every day. Recognize that sometimes you will need to rest, and to contemplate, and to be cared for. No one requires you to be perfect, or perfectly independent. We are only human and face trials every day that are too big for us to handle on our own. Taking a moment to pause and be silent gives answers that elude us when we’re overloaded with the things of the world.

PAUL: Opening ourselves up to allow others to show us love, concern, and support brings us comfort, refreshes our soul, and makes us strong, so that we can continue on. Absorbing the goodwill and prayers of those who love us girds us to face all the trials and tribulations, and to recognize all the blessings, that life offers.

​

(Nyree and Paul return objects to table and sit down).

 

JEFF: We now call on Celia’s Brother and the Chambelan de Honor, Gabriel Cowles, to give his oath as Celia’s sibling and friend. The Oath will be presented by Gabriel's philosophy teacher, football coach, and school dean, Sean Fleming. 

​

 (Gabriel and Sean Fleming come forward; Sean takes microphone.) 

 

SEAN: Gabriel, you’ve escaped having a ceremony like this because you’re a boy, but since you two are so close in age, this moment in Celia’s life also falls at an important moment in yours. As your coach, teacher, and mentor, I've watched you grow from a a precocious boy to a thoughtful young man on the brink of adulthood. You and Celia will need each other as you go foward in life. While you and your sister are not in charge of, or responsible for, one another’s lives, you should strive to be supportive, respectful, and loving.

 

Gabriel, will you promise to support your sister as a sibling and as a friend, to be a helping hand and a listening ear when she needs you, as you expect her to be for you?

 

GABRIEL: I promise I will.

 

SEAN: You and Celia are also part of four extended families that need your love, time, and energy to stay connected. Will you, with Celia, maintain connections with your family branches, honor their history, and continue that lifeline of support and care?

 

GABRIEL: I promise I will.  

 

SEAN: Gabriel, this ring was blessed at your naming and blessing ceremony as a sign of your family and friends’ love and support. Please take it now as a rememberance of this day.

​

 (Sean gives Gabriel the ring - just hands it to him, rather than putting it on; takes seat.) 

 

JEFF: Now, Gabriel, as your first duty after making this pledge, please help Celia onto her kneeling pillow, so that she can receive her quinceañera crown and a blessing.

​

Celia’s mother, Kati, will explain the significance of Celia’s quinceañera crown, which symbolizes Authority.

​

 (Kati takes microphone, stands holding Celia's hand.)

 

KATI: I’m so proud to be passing on this moment to you, Celia. My quinceañera year meant so much in my life and I hope it means as much in yours.

 

Tradition says the quinceañera is a princess. And what makes a princess? Authority by birthright, and a crown. My daughter, you have received gifts that endow your life with great power: a family tree of amazing, diverse, caring relatives; a country whose highest ideals are freedom and equality for all, regardless of race, gender or creed; a bright mind, combined with a great education at wonderful schools; and an asset you’ve developed for yourself, a ring of supportive friends. Before you kneel, look around you at these wonderful people who love you.

​

(Gabriel helps Celia kneel on her pillow; Belle and Annika adjust her dress. Gabriel takes seat, girls return to court.) 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

KATI: Now, put your fingers on your crown. You’ve been wearing it for hours, but right now, I want you to imagine us all together setting it onto your head. When you face challenges in the world, and don’t know if you have the authority or the right to do something, remember this sparkling circle. It signifies the collection of family, friends, mentors, and resources that empower you to go into the world as their representative. From now on, you always wear this crown. Go forward, and whatever the challenge may be, claim your birthright and boldly face it.  

 

(Kati kisses Celia on each cheek and then her forehead, helps her up, Kati sits down.)

 

JEFF: Celia, we’ll now close our ceremony with blessings for your future. Please face the audience.

​

(Celia turns to the crowd. Lulu and Margaret rise and stand on either side of Celia.)

 

(to crowd) Celia’s cousin, Margaret Cowles, who is doing mission work through a Jesuit organization, will follow by giving one in English. Lourdes Reindl, Celia's cousin and a member at the Houston Hernandez family’s church, St. Patrick’s, will give Celia a blessing in Spanish.

 

After their prayers, as we listen to a song, I ask each person in the audience to hold the note you’ve written to Celia close to your heart, if you have one, and send your own benedictions to her through prayer and warm wishes.

 

(to Celia) Celia, after the ceremony we’ll gather all these notes and put them inside of the pillow you’re kneeling on, so that when you rest your head, or your knees, upon it, you’ll know you’re resting on their love, faith, and support.  

​

​

LULU: Prayer #1 (by phone!)

​

​

MARGARET: Prayer #2

 

​

<<Mariachi interlude>>

​

SONG: Lizzie Hernandez Rodriguez sings "I Hope You Dance" by LeeAnne Womack

​

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

​

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

​

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

​

I hope you dance

 

JEFF: 

(to Celia) Please rise and face the crowd.

​

Ladies and Gentlemen, our quinceañera, Celia Cowles!

​

<<Mariachis play exuberantly as all recess>>

​