By Piper Banning
Eva Naranjo, a sophomore at Bonners Ferry High School and the daughter of former BFHS Spanish teacher Jessica Vineyard and her husband Nolan, celebrated her quinceañera November 23 at the Marigold Bistro, formerly the Tango Cafe, in Sandpoint. A quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s passage to adulthood on her 15th birthday that is common in Mexican and other Latin American cultures.
In the United States, the word quinceañera refers to the celebration. In Latin, it refers to the young woman herself.
Several Bonners Ferry students were invited and participated in the “surprise dance” offered at the end of the gifting presentations.
There were many traditions in the quinceanera party, including Eva’s receiving the adult Bible, the gifting of the final doll, which was a Build-a-Bear for Eva, the crowning ceremony, and the changing of the shoes from childhood shoes to high heels.
The Vineyard family and Naranjo children would like to thank the communities of both Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint for helping them celebrate this amazing night.
Mrs. Vineyard was the BFHS Spanish teacher for six years before retiring due to medical issues, and she loved sharing these traditions with her students each year.
“Thank you to everyone who attended and helped to make this evening fantastic,” Jessica said.
Publisher’s aside: Mrs. Vineyard extends her personal thanks to 9B.News reporter/photographer Piper Banning, Dave Dragoo, media and music; and Tanya Anderson of Flying S Title and Escrow for gifting the Queen’s Chair.
