Oregon Public Broadcasting

The ceremony featured frenzied dancing by members of Ameyaltonal, a dance group that specializes in traditional Aztec ceremonies.

A group of Hispanic teens in Woodburn, Oregon took part in an ancient Aztec coming-of-age ceremony Saturday.

The ritual was meant to connect the youth with their culture.

The aim was also to put them on the right path, because these teens are juvenile offenders.

Chris Lehman attended the ceremony at the McLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn.

The two-hour ceremony featured elaborate costumes, frenzied dancing and rhythmic drumming.

A cloud of incense wafted across the auditorium as nine young men got a taste of an ancient Aztec rite of passage.

19-year-old Rafael has been locked up at McLaren for two years. He trained for two months to take part in the ceremony.

The shirtless young men are some of the juvenile offenders taking part in the coming-of-age ceremony at the McLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, Oregon.

Rafael:  "I believe that this has made an impact in my life in such a way where I can get into a closer background in my history and a closer interaction with my family."

Oregon Youth Authority officials insisted we not use the last names of any of the offenders in the ceremony. Many have backgrounds in gangs.

The youth received instruction in Aztec culture from Ameyaltonal, a traditional dance group that performs in Oregon and Washington.