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2025 Quinceanera Expo XV is celebrated in Rehoboth

Event brings beautiful dresses and beautiful smiles
Michel Pinto models a beautiful dress and a beautiful smile on the runway of the annual Miss XV Magazine Quinceañera Expo at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 6, 2025

The seventh annual Miss XV Magazine quinceañera expo or MXVM Expo was held March 2 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach. The event was hosted by Hoy en Delaware.

Quinceañera is a celebration or rite of passage that marks a girl's transition from childhood to womanhood, and is both a religious and social event that emphasizes the importance of family and society in the life of a young woman.

The expo was created in 2014 to recognize the cultural significance of the quinceañera. The event featured fashion shows and showcased dresses from designers like Julieta Zavala and Maria Teresa Ribera.

The show paid tribute to the extensive local Guatemalan community by showcasing several traditional artisans’ clothing from the Central American country.

“This event is to show the beauty from inside and out of these 15-year girls with big and beautiful dresses as a tradition from a Latin Spanish community,” said Casa de Beauty owner and stylist Icela Garcia.

Hispanic food was offered at the expo and at the Atlantic Sands hotel restaurant.

It was a family event where small businesses promoted their products and services for the events industry.

 

Annabella Steinger models a flowing gown at the Miss XV Magazine Quinceañera Expo.
Mía D Diego displays her beautiful roja gown.
Hoy editor Virginia Esteban-Somalo acts as emcee for the event.
Atlantic Sands Hotel Events Director Merecedes Sobalvarro speaks to the crowd about the importance of quinceañera.
Michel Pinto models a unique design on her crinoline.
The gowns come in all sizes.
Brittany Rosales displays a unique dress on the runway.
Emely López wears a different hemlines that were featured.
Flor Guadalupe Pedroza Luna models a fashionable crinolines that were the order of the day.
The gowns were presented in various styles of formal and not-so-formal fashions and beautiful colors. Shown are (l-r) Scarlett González Cano, Katelyn Aguilera, Noelia Cuenca Bafres, Angely Lainez, Gabriela “Gaby” Delgado, Lisy Lainez, Annabella Steininger and Alexa Castillo.
A curtain call for the beautiful gowns at the quinceañera. Shown are (l-r) Scarlett González, Michelle López Zamora, Sophia López, Jennelly Meraz, Naomi Cielo Navarrete Castrejón, Annia Córdoba, Alexia López, Mia Martínez-Lara, Litzy Lainez and Yareli González-Santizo.
DJs Marcos Terrones, left, and Diego Lopez keep the Latin music playing during the event.
The staff of Casa De Beauty in Georgetown are (l-r) Consuelo Amezquita, Maritza Robles, owner Icela Garcia and Pochi Sereno.
Representing Toledo Boutique’s formal dresses are (l-r) Yerely Fernandez, Ana Aguilera and Pricsilla Aguilera.
Representing the Philly Dreams are Alondra Alonso Ortiz Martin, left, and Milagros Martínez Alonso.
Vendors from around the Hispanic community come together for the event.
Working the DaLinda Rosas Eternas (Eternal Roses) booth are (l-r) Melissa Velasquez, Flora Zunun and Carla Velasquez.
The seventh annual event was held at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.
Shown on the runway are (l-r) Alina Khan, Michel Pinto, Julieta Zavala (designer), Hon. Vivian Medinilla, Brittany Rosales, Emely López and Flor Guadalupe Pedroza Luna. These dresses have been designed and made by the designer Julieta Zavala from New Castle County.
Speaking at the event is the Honorable Vivian L. Medinilla, retired judge of the Delaware Superior Court and actual partner of Weiss, Saville, Medinilla & Houser, P.A. law firm. She is originally from Guatemala.
Speaking during the event is Fortunato Pérez, emcee and lead person of dancing school ILUSIONES 360 in Selbyville.
Speaking about the importance of the Miss XV Magazine Quinceañera Expo is Manuel Montes, choreographer of pasarela and dancing group Xtacy’s.
Pako Vanegas, emcee from New York, speaks to the audience.
Helping to make the event run smoothly are (l-r) Suzanne Gustafson lead banquet bartender; Mercedes Sobalvarro, events & marketing director; Zulema García, sous chef banquets; Megan Hopkins, banquet manager; Stacy Johnson, banquet server; and chef Jordan Lloyd, food & beverage director.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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