And speaking of big events, for many young Latinas turning 15 isn't just another birthday, it is a milestone marked by a very special celebration called a quinceanera.

These elaborate events are filled with tradition and meaning, but they can also be very expensive.

So when a Keller Middle School mariachi teacher learned one of her former students couldn't afford a quinceanera, she rallied the community to make a dream come true.

(Lupita Herrera-Lopez) I guess I've dreamed of this since I was a little girl.

-Las Vegas High School sophomore Lupita Herrera-Lopez is in love with her quinceanera dress--the color, the ruffles, and all of the little details that make the dress hers.

-Something special about my dress is like the galas for mariachi, they're like ornaments that are put on a mariachi suit.

-Mariachi is a big part of Lupita's life, and it's how this dress and her quinceanera came to be.

(Miriam Vazquez) The reason why we're here is because of a simple comment that turned into quite a big event.

-Miriam Vasquez is Lupita's former teacher, the mariachi director at Keller Middle School.

So when Lupita's mom mentioned her daughter's birthday was coming up... -And I say, oh, my God, already her quince.

What's the plan?

How can I help?

And she said, Actually, it's not going to be how we would have expected it to be, due to a car accident in which her car was totaled.

-Lupita's mom, Hilda... -Enter Brenda Karcz, owner of Zofia's Dress Shop.

(Brenda Karcz) I met Miriam through a client, and she brought up a student, student that was going to turn 15.

She said, student doesn't have a dress.

-Are you Lupita?

-Hilda, hi, I'm Brenda.

Nice to meet you.

-And that led to this special night in early September.

-They told me that I was just gonna come in and try on dresses, just for the experience.

-Thank you.

-I'm like, okay.

And then we're gonna take a couple pictures.

That's what my mom told me.

-Give me your hand.

Go ahead and step up.

Perfect.

She'd like to try this one on as well.

And it fits her head really nicely.

Your hand.

Thank you.

Let me move your train.

After trying on three dresses, came a big surprise.

-Zofia's is giving you a dress today.

-But that's not all.

-And then we have a lot of sponsors here that are going to make your quinceanera happen.

-Everything from photography to food to the venue, all donated... (Maria Verduzco) When she told us the story, we feel moved to help to do something for her.

-...so Lupita can celebrate her quinceanera.

-Just seeing her getting her wish come true, it was quite fulfilling.

-You are saying yes to the charro dress?

-I'm saying yes to the charro dress.

[cheers and applause] -Lupita changed back into the charro dress, her dress... -The second I put on this dress, I wanted it.

I knew this was the dress I wanted so badly, but I couldn't ask my mom for it, because I knew it would have cost too much money.

-...the first dress she tried on that night.

-I loved it, every moment of it.

-And at Lupita's final fitting, there's excitement, gratitude, and a range of emotions.

-It makes us feel good.

It's like a feeling that it's hard to express.

But to be able to help, it's a good feeling.

-This is the moment when I say it's worth it.

-I would like to say thank you so much for, like, supporting me and doing this for me.

I'm very, very grateful, and I'm just really happy.

-What an amazing community we have and a great example of karma.

Lupita's mom is very active in the schools and the community and is known for giving back herself.

Of course, we had to show you the big party.

Here are some photos from Lupita's quinceanera that happened just a few weeks ago.

Beautiful!

Muchisimas gracias, of course, to all of the business owners who helped Lupita and her mom.

And a very special thank-you to Ms.

Vasquez for caring about her students so much.