The Juniors
Jesus Mendoza, 17
Jesus moved to San Jose from Mexico at the age of 8. When he first saw his cousins learning and performing folklorico dances at the huge Grito 16th of September show for the city. It looked really cool and he liked the music and the challenge to learn such complicated steps. In two years time he went through classes and performances with many students and quickly joined Folklorico Nacional Mexicano Juvenil. He likes performing Calabazeadas from Baja California and the fast polkas from Tamaulipas because he likes the quick, complicated movement.
Daniela Yanez, 17
Daniela Yanez has been dancing for Folklorico Nacional Mexicano for 12 years now. She is 16 years old and goes to Silver Creek High School. She was 4 when she started to dance folklorico and it has made a positive impact on her life. Daniela also likes to go swimming and have fun with her friends. She hopes to continue dancing for as long as she can and to help spread her Mexican culture.
Paola E. Navarro, 16
Paola E. Navarro started out as a 4 year old girl who went to gymnastics. She was in gymnastic classes for about 4 years and then quit because she found a new sport/hobby to do. Her mom one day took her out to a Family Health convention in San Jose where they saw a performance from the Elena Robles dance group. That’s when she joined and now has been in the group for about 7 years. Paola’s a normal girl who is 15 years old, goes to Cupertino Middle School in the city of Cupertino, CA, and loves to show her talent off.
Hayley Piazza, 14
Hayley has been dancing for eight years and has learned many dances from Ms. Elena throughout those years. Dancing is part of her life and she loves it. Besides dancing she also plays soccer on a competitive team, but she still dances any chance she gets. Dancing is something she loves to do and wants to do the rest of her life.
Mariana Yanez, 14
Marianna Yanez has been dancing for Folklorico Nacional Mexicano for 8 years now. She is 13 years old and goes to John J. Montgomery Elementary. She has been dancing since she was 5 years old and enjoys it very much. She likes dancing because she gets to learn new things from her dance teacher and her culture. She enjoys to swim and play sports too. She hopes continue dancing for many years to come and to pass her culture to other children.