Cinco de Mayo - Leadership Training

I was going through some boxes the other day (looking for a can of turquoise spray paint - which I cannot find anywhere!) and came across a box labeled "fiesta!"  In it I found:  a couple sombreros, a music CD, fake mustaches, colorful tissue flowers, cactus picks, Mexican flags, bright yellow maracas, a couple backdrops (one of a mariachi band and the other a Spanish couple dancing), a stack of signs printed in Spanish, and a few handwritten notes.
*
*
All these items were used a few years ago in a Leadership Training activity for our young women.  The activity just happened to fall on Cinco de Mayo, so in my planning I decided to build it around the fiesta theme.
*
*
All the photos and files from the night with the young women were lost when my computer crashed and burned last year. (So many memories- photos and designs - were lost! Makes me want to cry, again.) Luckily, I posted this adorable picture of Robbie (he makes me smile!) from a family Cinco de Mayo celebration on FACEBOOK. The photo, as well as the handwritten notes I found, are helping jog my memory. :)
*

PURPOSE
Emphasize good leadership qualities, build and strengthen relationships through fun group activities, and provide a cultural experience.
*
INVITE
It was a simple invite:  "You're invited to a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! Young Women Leadership Training on ____________."
*
Note:  In case you were wondering, I used the HOT TAMALE font.  You can download it here for your own use.
 *
ARRIVAL
As each girl arrived they were given a passport (which could be stamped as they visited each station).  But before they got their passport - they had to translate atleast four of the following words into English.
*

There was also a photo booth opportunity for the girls: sombreros, mustaches, maracas, and a back drop of the mariachi band and Spanish dancers.
*
*
Each station was delegated to one of the members of the Young Women Presidency to  run.  They were asked to spend 5 minutes talking about their assigned trait of a leader (see below).  Then they introduced the activity - which reinforced the leadership trait.
*
*
1. "A Leader... has vision"
- sets goals, faith
Activity:  Tortilla Toss
Supplies needed:  corn tortillas, measuring tape or tarp with holes
*
2. "A Leader... gives direction"
- shares vision, belief, testimony
Activity:  Simon Says - in spanish (see actions below)
Supplies needed: signs with instructions english/spanish translations
*
3. "A Leader... is strong"
- takes charge, is a doer, reaps rewards
Activity:  Pinata 
Supplies needed:  filled pinata, blindfold, stick
*
4. "A Leader... encourages"
- inspires through example, leadership is defined through action, integrity
Activity:  Dance Instruction
Supplies needed:  music (Mexican hat dance), sombreros
*
5. "A Leader... has a good attitude"
Take-A-Way:  Charles Swindle: Life is 10% what happens to you  90% how you react to it. 
*
*
FIESTA! Time
The night ended with food at the "Value Cantina"!  We decorated an area to resemble a little mexican cantina.  A bowl of tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa was placed at each table.  Best part!  :)
*
*
       Food Assignments:
*
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
*
DIY MINI PINATAS
Wouldn't these make an awesome take-a-way?!
*
DE COLORES -M- Papel Picado (Mexican cut-paper banners)
cut-out flags
DIY tutorial here
purchase here or here