A quinceañera is a Latin American celebration marking a girl’s 15th birthday, symbolizing her transition from childhood to womanhood. It is both a religious and social event, traditionally beginning with a church mass and followed by a large party with food, music, and dancing. The celebration honors the young woman with special traditions and is also the term used for the birthday girl herself. The birthday girl also is often accompanied by a court of honor, made up of “damas” (maid of honor) and “chambelanes” (chamberlains).