ROCHELLE — Karina Cervantes-García started the Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal dance group in April 2013 in Rochelle. 

The group has been busy with performances this year during National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). Cervantes-García participated in ballet folklorico, which celebrates Mexican culture with different region-specific dances and dresses, during her time at Rochelle Township High School, which has its own dance group. She formed her own dance group that welcomes dancers aged pre-K to their 20s and 30s, ensuring no one is turned away. 

“It's been over 10 years that we've been dancing,” Cervantes-García said. “My aunt wanted to start a group for my little cousins and was trying to convince me to start it. There was one high school group and one for younger people back then. I was already teaching at the time. She convinced me and that's how it started. We're still going. It's more like a hobby than a business. It started out as a lot of family members and we still have a lot of my family members involved with the group. We just want to celebrate our culture and traditions. My youngest dancer has been four and our oldest now is 33.”

Cervantes-García was born in Mexico but has lived in Rochelle since she was two years old. She started out dancing in high school as a freshman before graduating in 2012. She enjoyed connecting with her heritage and spending time with friends and family and since starting Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal she likes having kids do an activity that helps them connect with their roots and history. 

It’s important to Cervantes-García people of all ages have a chance to dance and get involved with something like ballet folklórico. 

“In Rochelle we have a lot of Hispanic people and I like to celebrate and help out with our community,” Cervantes-García said. “I know there's a lot of other activities, but ballet is so unique and you never stop learning. There are still so many things I don't know about it. You'll always be learning something. There are so many different dances. Every state in Mexico has at least one or multiple dances. And it's fun. Every state has different wardrobes, history and location.”

Last year, Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal traveled to Pueblo, Colorado to compete against 12 other dance groups. That was the first time it had gone to any sort of competition and it served as a learning experience for group members that were used to performing only around the local area. 

“I learned that there was so much that I didn't know, like history and scoring in competitions and being precise,” Cervantes-García said. “Everything has to be exact with the wardrobes and footwork. We learned so much and we got to see other groups and different things we never noticed around here. It was really nice. Our group wants to go again. Maybe next year. I want to be prepared for it.”

Cervantes-García often covers costs out of her own pocket to make sure every participant in the dance group can join, regardless of their financial situation. 

“I just want people to be able to dance,” Cervantes-García said. “I know they might not always be able to afford the wardrobe. They can be very expensive, anywhere from $100-300 each. I'll pitch in and help someone if I can. I don't think much about the money when it comes to the group. I just enjoy it and I want them to dance.”

Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal likes to cherish its native roots and keep Mexican traditions alive, Cervantes-García said. Those traditions are ever-changing, and dances can be traditional or keep up with current times. 

“We all enjoy it,” Cervantes-García said. “We like getting ready and having the different wardrobes and dancing and having people see our work. A lot of our family members enjoy it. We do a lot of the same dances at different venues, but they're still always recording. They just enjoy watching the kids and it helps them remember where they came from and a lot of the traditions in Mexico. It's always good to know where you come from and what your family's beliefs are. Especially because our community has a lot of Hispanics. There may be some people that don't understand it, but it's where we come from and our tradition.”