January 4, 1994. The moment Mayra Dwyer first looked at her little girl she thought, “My angel when you turn 15 you will have what I could not, the perfect Quinces.” True to her promise, my mother sparked the beginning of a little adventure.

I remember when mom and I were deeply buried in one of our typical mother-daughter disagreements and she says, “Jazzmin, you are such a material girl,” that’s when I instantly know I just had to have a Madonna Theme with lots of Diamonds and Crystals. It just had to be a one fine BLINGY Affair.

Step one was a critical hunt for the best possible choreographer there is. As THE BEST could only spell for one notorious individual, that person just had to be the legendary and highly acclaimed, Rafael Espinosa.

Rafael is known as among the most gifted and brilliant producers of traditional Quinces. He even orchestrated my aunt’s Quince back in 1973, and it was no less than perfect with a timeless style and a captivating theme. Mr. Espinosa is among the few who are able to encapsulate the desires of our elders to be true to our cultural way of life and contemporary foresights that reflect modern individual styles.

Theme fixed, our next mission was to rummage for the Totally Bling Dress only for the fervent Material Girl. That’s when we found the amazing designs crafted by the one and only Ms. Gabriella Arango. True to her vision, this artist created my dream dress right before my eyes with just a quick puff. Arango carefully connects and explains with me my ideas into writing not disregarding a single detail of my much dreamed of dress.

Perfect parties can only come with the perfect location. The Material Gala is definitely one imperative factor for a Quince’s night to fly high. Shortly after considering the usual hot spots around town, my mom and I found The Alexander Hotel as we were driving down Collins Avenue. With its stunning Mahogany Wood Stairways, Crystal Chandeliers and a very lucrative and enchanting interior design, it was exactly what we wanted. With a wonderful cocktail veranda, an ocean view that’s breathtaking and a ballroom accommodating at least 220 guests, we said this had to be a dream place.

My mother became the perfect Party Planner for my dream night. She made use of Gables Linens to embellish the stage and table linens around. The stage was dressed with flawless drapes of fabrics, the best lighting, and the best imported table linens made of copper taffeta embroiders. Truly beautiful and exquisite. Ana Paz Cakes, on the other hand, knocked together a 5-layer cake that we all loved and was as absolutely gorgeous as it was extremely delicious.

Curtains opened as Keyser Gazmuri and George Anthony Valladeres announced my grand entrance and this marked my formal presentation to society as our tradition affirms. My Quinces featured 14 couples with me to represent “The Quince 15.”

I was then received by my grandparents William and Angela Dwyer. My first dance was with my grandfather, William Dwyer, who brought me the fondest of memories attuned with the elegant waltz.

My mother Mayra Dwyer dedicated a song called “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me” as we walked together thru the ballroom. My father Arsenio Rojas and I danced to “Baby You.”

From there I joined my escort and we charmingly danced to Cha-Cha, Salsa, Material Girl, Merengue and the Conga.  My two beautiful flower girls, my sister Yaraeli Rojas and Leanne Moreira, accompanied by my cousin Kevin Gazmuri, together with the gentlemen and the ladies of my court, delivered diamonds for me as Madonna’s “Material girl” was played in the background.

Swaying and dancing the night away with my godfather Mr. Rogelio Suarez, my uncles Richard Brisbin, Antonio Sanchez, Pedro Gazmuri, and David Torres were also among the many highlights of my special night.

As the party progressed late at night and we all danced to the hottest music, some special friends of ours (owners of “Poe Boys Music Group”) uncovered a surprise, by having “Flo Rida”, “Bristo”, “David Lynn”, “Brianna”, and “Mista Maz” perform live. This shook the night away!

To express my deepest thanks and appreciation to my mother and my family for a dream bash come true, I dedicated the song “I Believe in You” as part of the final culminating activities of the night.

Looking back, every time that incredible evening would come to cross my mind, I would feel that somehow saying thanks doesn’t seem to be enough, so I’d like to say, “I love you and thank you all for sharing the most amazing moment of my life. You all truly made my dream come true.”