OKC Thunder And Local Teen Celebrate Joint Quinceañera

A quinceañera is a big birthday celebration for a young lady turning 15, and that big birthday gets even bigger when the Oklahoma City Thunder are involved. 

In Mexico and throughout Latin America turning 15 for a young woman is cause for a huge celebration. 

“Like a party or something special that shows people that you’re growing up, that you’re entering your woman phase,” said Britany Martinez, who is celebrating her 15th birthday. 

With Martinez turning 15 and the Thunder celebrating 15 years in Oklahoma City, it was the perfect opportunity to combine the celebrations.  

“This idea for the quinceañera actually came through one of the co-chairs of the Hispanic Latinx employee group,” said Christine Berney, with the OKC Thunder.  

But these are big celebrations, so this had to be even bigger. 

“Of course, we don’t do anything without making it big, and then making it bigger than that,” said Berney.  

The staff began transforming one of their conference rooms into the perfect fairy tale room fit for the celebration. 

“I was like wow it’s really pretty, and like really fancy and I have like my own little dance floor and everything,” said Martinez.  

“I’ve heard many women walk in this evening and say ‘that was nicer than my wedding,’” said Berney. 

Everything was paid for by the Thunder, and it was all a surprise for Britany. 

“I couldn’t believe it at first, but then I got really excited, I started crying a lot because I just couldn’t believe it,” said Martinez.  

The 15-year celebrations for both Brittany and the Thunder is a once-in-a-lifetime honor for both. 

“Just want to say thank you, so, so much, like I appreciate this. I never would have thought something like this would happen to me, I got really lucky,” said Martinez.  

“It’s a pretty amazing thing, it really is,” said Berney.  

Now the celebration was huge as guests ate and danced. There was even an appearance by the Thunder Girls, the OKC Thunder’s dance team, making it a very special evening for a special young lady.