A quinceanera, the big dress, the party, and the headpiece. The hairpiece that is made from silver, pearl beads. The tradition originated from the Aztecs, that when a girl is 15, she is a lady; I was terrified of growing up, I wanted to feel like a kid again. I chose this hairpiece, but my godfathers who are like second fathers to me paid for it.  I have worn this hairpiece at my quince, my mass, professional pictures, and winter formal. I wear them during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. It brings a rush of momentum and happiness because of the memories it carries. I connected extremely with it because it was the time I had grown up. This is connected to my Latin/ Hispanic roots and this tradition is part of my culture. You’d expect that the quince dress would be the thing I talk about, but not here. My mother wanted one, so I decided to have one for her, it was stressful, but it made her happy to see me. She had a difficult time with the whole immigration situation, she wondered if it was all worth it in the end, and it was. I felt that it was right to include the hairpiece because of all the memories it carries, stress, happiness, past, present, and future. My quince pops into mind, but the nights of happiness as well.  I hope to pass this hairpiece down to my children and tell them the stories along with it. 
 

– Krystlee L

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant