PHOTO GALLERY: A quinceanera at MU

September 16, 2012 | 4:48 p.m. CDT

Five Columbia Latino women celebrate their quinceanera put on by an MU student group.

Alejandra Gudino holds a tiara that she will use to crown her daughter, Paula Herrera-Gudino, during a quinceañera at MU's Memorial Union on Saturday night. Gudino helped organize the event through her involvement in Latino Youth Futures, a Missouri 4-H organization. | Marysa Greenawalt

Paula Herrera-Gudino and Ross Menefee wait to begin the quinceañera ceremony. Herrera-Gudino participated in the quinceañera ceremony with four other young women at MU's Memorial Union on Saturday night. | Marysa Greenawalt

Vanessa Nava and Dustin Miller dance during Nava's quinceañera ceremony at MU's Memorial Union on Saturday night. | Marysa Greenawalt

Laura Valencia and Griffin Thomas dance during Valencia's quinceañera ceremony at MU's Memorial Union on Saturday night. | Marysa Greenawalt