Latinos United for Advancement hosted its second LUNA Quinceañera event on April 1 in the Grand Ballroom of the Northbank Center, bringing a traditional cultural celebration to campus while advancing the organization’s mission of cultural education and community engagement.
“I am so proud of LUNA’s executive board,” Stephanie Vidaillet Gelderloos, an English faculty member at the University of Michigan-Flint and the adviser of LUNA, said. “They are amazing students with great academic records, yet they all set aside a lot of time and effort to make the quinceañera celebration happen.”
LUNA hosts events throughout the year that highlight Latino culture. The LUNA Quinceañera event is designed to replicate the experience of attending a traditional quinceañera celebration.
“The event showed a lot of detail and organization, and it gave a clear example of how cultural traditions can be shared in a campus setting,” John Russel, a freshman at UM-Flint majoring in human resources, said.
The event featured a mariachi band, a fashion walk and a choreographed dance performed by LUNA members and students dressed in quinceañera gowns and chambelán suits. Traditional ceremonial items were also displayed, including a symbolic doll representing the transition from childhood and high heels representing entry into adulthood. Decorations included personal items from students’ own quinceañera celebrations, along with photographs from those events.
Students and guests celebrate during LUNA Quinceañera Night at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan on April 1, 2026. Photo taken by Stephanie VanWagoner, Office of Marketing and Communications. 
The Mariachi band at the LUNA Quinceañera event. Photo taken on April 1, 2026 by Alyssa Barnett. 
The Last Doll on display, signifying leaving childhood behind. Photo taken on April 1, 2026 by Alyssa Barnett. 
Students and guests celebrate during LUNA Quinceañera Night at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan on April 1, 2026. Photo taken by Stephanie VanWagoner, Office of Marketing and Communications.
“Through LUNA, I had the opportunity to experience Latin dancing, which was something completely new for me,” Nazli Kurt, a sophomore at UM-Flint majoring in biology, said. “As an international student, being open-minded to different cultures has been a truly unique and meaningful part of my journey. I met amazing friends and spent many hours practicing and learning the dances together. In the end, we had the chance to perform the special dance, which made the whole experience even more special.”
More than 100 students attended the event, which included a Hispanic dinner provided by I Love Pig from the Flint Farmers’ Market. The menu featured birria tacos, pork, chicken and vegetarian arepas. Music for the event was provided by a local DJ, and attendees danced throughout the evening.
“The quinceañera created a welcoming space for Latino students, promoted student growth and celebrated Latino culture on campus,” Gelderloos said.
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