Senoras of Excellence, Senores of Distinction gala celebrates 10 years

The 10th annual Senoras of Excellence and Senores of Distinction gala took place in mid-May in the Latour Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas.

The benefit raises money for scholarships for deserving Nevada students to continue their education through these organizations: The UNLV Foundation, Nevada State College, College of Southern Nevada, Nevada Hospital Association, Puerto Rican Association Scholarship Fund, the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach at UNLV, HeARTs for Children with Autism, Latin Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund, City Impact Center and Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization.

Gov. Brian Sandoval served as the gala’s honorary chairman. The gala committee chairwoman was Sandy Peltyn and she was assisted by Fred Keeton, Karen Cashman and Ellie Hirschfeld.

The hosted reception featured a silent auction, entertainment by the Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts, and music by Clark High School. Miss Nevada America Ellie Smith sang “God Bless America.”

Next Level Events designed the ballroom’s decor.

Masters of ceremonies were R.J. Peltyn and KSNV-TV, Channel 3, anchor/reporter Gerard Ramalho.

Special guest Julian Adem, Consul of Mexico in Las Vegas, spoke of $25,000 provided to Senoras of Excellence/Senores of Distinction by the Consulate of Mexico that will translate into $50,000 with matching funds to benefit 20 students enrolled at UNLV, UNR and CSN who are young Mexican and Mexican-Americans with excellent grade averages and a firm desire to succeed in life.

In a formal ceremony, the event honored six individuals and two corporations that have excelled in their professions as well as have contributed to the enrichment of our community.

Honored Senoras were Angelica Quiroz-Maralason, employed by the Las Vegas Valley Water District in public relations for the Springs Preserve; Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada; Nancy Houssels, co-founder of the Nevada Ballet Theatre and a founder of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Honored Senores were Wayne Newton, affectionately known as Mr. Las Vegas, who received a Humanitarian of the Year Award; Dr. Warren Volker, CEO at WellHealth Quality Care; and Bart Patterson, president of Nevada State College.

The Corporations of Distinction honored were MGM Resorts International and Cirque Du Soleil.

Dancing concluded the evening.

Attending were Parvin Jacobs, Tony Sanchez, Beth Fisher, Tony Gladney, Phyllis James, Jerry Nadal, Karen and Morgan Cashman, Janet and Andy Blumen, Cindy Doumani, Dorothy Flagler, Nicole Marce and George Harris, Melinda and Bob Brown, Barbara Donohoe, Larry Hart, Nancy and Jack Weinstein, Annee Nounna, Peter Guzman, and Wendy and Richard Plaster.

Also, Laurie Travis, Jeanne and Don Hamrick, Dawn Gibbons, Ricardo Fernandez, Kathleen Newton, Michael Mack, Vanessa and Josh Houssels, Maggie Arias-Petrel, Polly Weinstein, Dee and Don Snyder, Eddie Morales, Patricia Alcalde, Carolyn Sparks, Jerry Rosado, Eva Garica-Mendoza, Judy Fleischman, Judy and John Ferraro, Otto Merida, Johann Landinger, Brandon Berger, artist Jean Francois and chef James Benson.