The House of Peru’s youth ambassadors represent the House of Peru. They share and promote Peruvian culture through dance, music, and educational presentations throughout San Diego. They practice every weekend to learn traditional dances, like marinera, caporales, morenada, festejo, and tondero and perform them at venues throughout San Diego. In addition, they participate in community service events to better San Diego and its people.
 
The female youth ambassadors can also join the House of Pacific Relations Queens Organization. The House of Pacific Relations (HPR) is the largest multicultural organization in the US.
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If you are interested in participating, please  fill out this House of Peru Queen & Princess Program form.

HOP Youth Program Ambassadors for 2025-2026 

Queen & President Brunella Lopez

Brunella is this year’s Queen for the House of Peru. She has been an active member of this organization since she was 8 years old and has served as Vice-President and secretary in previous years. She loves learning new Peruvian dances and teaching others about her culture. Specially about Toritos de Pucara. In her free time she participates in numerous groups within her school district advocating for fair laws and equality for all students and schools throughout the whole state of California. When she’s not on a podium, you can find her on the field: playing for her school’s varsity Field Hockey team or participating in community service events with her NJROTC unit! ​

Princess & Vice President Isabel Cahua

Isabel has been a member of the HOP Youth Group for 2 years. Since she was a little girl her love for the Peruvian culture has been there. She enjoys making alfajores, eating her dads Lomo Saltado and watching Peru national team soccer games. She attended a Spanish/English dual language program during elementary school and she is fluent in Spanish. She currently a Junior in high school.

Princess & Secretary Ariadna Lopez

Ariadna is this year’s Secretary for the House of Peru. She is 13 years old and has been an active member of this organization since she was 7. Her favorite foods are Arroz con Pollo and Ceviche. In her free time, Ariadna enjoys playing various musical instruments, especially the clarinet. She is also very involved in her school through ASB and the Yearbook Club!  ​

Princess Aida Michelle Spangler

Aida Michelle Spangler is a 14-year-old Peruvian-American. She attends Cathedral Catholic High School. Aida enjoys learning, participating, and being part of the Peruvian culture’s roots.

Princess Amalia Rioja

Amalia started dancing Marinera Norteña, the national dance of Peru, at age 8. She joined the House of Perú Youth program in 2022. With HOP, she has learned and performed many new styles of Peruvian dance, including tondero, marinera limeña, huaylas, selva, and alcatraz. She is also proud to continue representing Peru in her third year as a princess in the House of Pacific Relations.

Princess Shawna Alexandra Stefanko

Hi, my name is Shawna. I’m 14 years old and was born here in San Diego. I am attending Preuss and I am in the 9th grade my favorite part about being in the community of house of Peru is volunteering My mother is from Peru, and I’m proud to also be a Peruvian citizen. I really enjoy the culture. I even went to school in Peru for a couple of months, where I learned to read and write in Spanish. That experience helped me improve my Spanish a lot.

I’m very happy to be part of the Peruvian youth group. It gives me a chance to celebrate and learn more about my heritage. I’m excited to support the group and share my culture with others.

Junior Princess Mikaela Nunez

Mikaela is a Junior Princess and has participated with House of Peru since 2021.  Her Father's side of the family is from Peru.  She enjoys learning about her Peruvian culture and sharing this part of her culture with others through dancing and community events.   She loves lomo saltado, anticuchos, arroz verde, Inca Kola, all of the different regional dresses, and the folkloric dancing.  She is twelve years old.  Her hobbies are swimming, dancing, playing with her friends, and playing with her puppies

Knight & Treasurer Mateo Rioja

​Mateo has been dancing with the House of Perú Youth program since 2022 and will serve as their Treasurer again this year. He began dancing the marinera, the national dance of Perú, when he was 9 years old. Mateo is also very proud to be the President of the Knights organization in the House of Pacific Relations for the 2025-2026 calendar year.

Knight Alonso Rioja

Alonso joined the House of Perú Youth program in 2022 with his big brother and sister. He began to learn marinera norteña at age 4. With HOP, he has performed selva and marinera limeña dances too. Alonso really enjoys the many new experiences (and snacks!) that come with practicing and performing with HOP.  He is also excited to represent Peru as a knight in the House of Pacific Relations this year.
Meet House of Peru's Past Youth Ambassadors
​2024-2025 Youth Ambassadors
2023-2024 Youth Ambassadors
2022-2023 Youth Ambassadors
​2021-2022 Youth Ambassadors
​2019-2020 Youth Ambassadors
​2017-2018 Youth Ambassadors