Thousand Oaks High hosts quinceañera fashion show

Students at Thousand Oaks High School walked a red-carpet runway in quinceañera gowns and suits Friday, Oct. 9, turning the campus into a celebration of Hispanic culture.

The Latino Connection club organized the fashion show as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, drawing students, families and community supporters to an evening of music, dance and fashion, as first reported by The Lancer, the school's student newspaper. The Conejo Valley Unified School District adopted Resolution #26/27-01 declaring Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the district, according to CVUSD board records.

Sophomore Gisell Deras served as the quinceañera for the evening. She told The Lancer that sharing the tradition with classmates was personal.

"My favorite part about sharing my culture with my school is that I get to show those who don't know what a quinceañera might look like [what it is], and explain to them why it's important," Deras said.

Student couples walked the red carpet while slides introduced each participant's heritage and future goals. Among them were sophomores Karina Aguirre and Ivan Monroy, and sophomore Jackie Acevedo paired with senior Brody Ruiz. Aguirre said she joined the runway to celebrate her culture and remember her own quinceañera.

"To celebrate my culture, reminisce [about] my Quince and remember the memories," Aguirre told The Lancer.

The dresses ranged from blush-pink and deep-crimson ballgowns to gold, champagne and midnight-black gowns adorned with embroidery and glittering tiaras. Each couple paused at the end of the carpet as their slide displayed their name, background and aspirations.

The school's Mariachi Club performed live on stage, serenading the audience alongside performers in traditional charro-inspired gowns. The Diamanté Boys, a chambelán performance group, followed with a high-energy dance routine that included breakdancing, flips and choreographed moves across the floor.

DJ Radio Lazer provided music and media coverage during the event.

After the show, students gathered in the campus courtyard under the night sky to take photos in their formal attire, posing in tiaras and suits. Senior Brody Ruiz summed up the night simply, telling The Lancer he had "a 10/10 experience."

The Lancer article was written by student journalist Joseline Guadalupe Garrido.