The Quinceañera, that old fashioned but apparently still popular Latino tradition continues in full glory as MTV TR3s returns with the fourth season of their popular series "Quiero Mis Quinces."

The reality show brings 9 girls who plan their 15th birthday party. The quinceaneara marks these young girls entry into womanhood, as if training bras, first periods, high school and first dates weren't tough enough.

And to round things off, MTV TR3s unveils a spin-off of the show "Quiero Mi Boda" on January 18, 2010, about Latinas' voyage into marriage.

"A Quinceañera is an iconic event in a young Hispanic woman's life to be remembered forever, and the parties featured in each episode will not soon be forgotten by MTV Tr3s' audience," said Jose Tillan, General Manager of MTV Tr3s.  "Since most families dream of an event like this since a girl's birth, the stakes are even higher."

"Quiero Mis Quinces" explores the planning of this "milestone" Cinderella event in a young woman's life. The tradition is a coming out party where the young woman is introduced to the community as a woman, ready for marriage...which can at times make this tradition seem outdated, certainly from a feminist point of view. But the celebration appears to have taken on less of a marriage dry run and more of the "let's have a big party for me" excuse for young women.  It remains a popular  - and often very expensive - tradition in the Latino community. The money some families go into debt over for a quinceanera event could be a down payment on a house or cover college tuition.

Celebrants include Kayleen in a Venetian Paradise style party; April from Texas has a medieval themed fiesta; twins Arlene and Marlene; Valeria with an "Eclectic Extravaganza" theme; Natalia with a Renaissane themed party; Teresa with a Hollywood style soiree; Vivian and Jazzmine round off the girls ready to grow up.

According to MTV, "Tr3s (mtvTr3s.com ) is available in broadcast in 7 million Hispanic TV households and 38 million total TV households, making it the most-widely distributed TV network dedicated to superserving today's bicultural Latino youth.  MTV Tr3s programming is rooted in the fusion of American and Latino music, cultures, lifestyles and languages. Music programming is at the core of MTV Tr3s and the channel features hitmakers, emerging artists and new sounds that resonate with young U.S. Latinos.  In addition to music programming, the MTV Tr3s programming slate also features lifestyle series, news, documentaries and other long-form programs that celebrate US Latino hybrid identity and culture."

Watch the series trailer:

http://www.mtvtr3s.com/video/?vid=453362

PHOTO CREDITS:

ANGEL GUITERREZ FOTOGRAFIA -"Teresa Vasquez yellow dress"

HUGO BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY - "Arlene & Marline Frankie J"