A beautiful 2008 Senoras of Excellence -Senores of Distinction Awards Gala was held at Wynn Las Vegas’s Lafite Ballroom. The event was co-hosted by Sandy Colon Peltyn and Isabel Perera Pfeifer and benefited The Latin Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. At present, The Latin Chamber of Commerce has awarded over a million dollars in scholarships to eleven hundred students. This event was created to honor men and women who have excelled in their professional careers as well as having contributed to the enrichment of our community.

The event started with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner was then served on tables with beautifully appointed linens and decorations. The menu was specially prepared by Chef Marc Poidevin for the event. The first course was Lobster Bisque Soup followed by Caesar Salad with herb croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese. An intermezzo was served to cleanse the palate. The entrée was a duo of filet of beef with bordelaise sauce and filet of salmon, with a grain of winter vegetables.  Dessert featured a Chocolate Pyramid on a Chocolate Wafer.

The awards ceremony was presented between dinner courses. The awards ceremony was highlighted by the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guards who raised their swords forming an arch for each of the honorees to walk through. The honor guards were amazingly stalwart, as they stood motionless in a parallel row for quite some time as each honoree was presented onstage and made their remarks before walking through the arched row of the colorful uniformed honor guards. 

The Senoras of this prestigious award were:

Tibi Ellis, President and CEO for Home Helpers, a homecare provider and Direct Link, a personal emergency response company serving the elderly, convalescing and disabled.  Her compassion for the elderly and disabled, drives her commitment to serve those in need in our community.

Amparo Z. Gamazo, Director of  Development and Modernization of the Housing Authority of the City of Las Vegas currently responsible for over $20 million in new construction and rehabilitation of public housing properties. She enthusiastically volunteers her assistance to the various programs offered by the Housing Authority designed to help residents and their families achieve self-sufficiency.

Laurie Travis, Owner/President LT Eventions has built her empire from a balloon business based out of the back of a 1992 Dodge Caravan. LT Eventions is a multi-million dollar event production facility with over a hundred employees and a massive warehouse in which her signature events are created. In an effort to share and give back to the community LTEventions has donated 1.5 million to nonprofit organizations in 2007.   

The Senores of this prestigious award were:        

Consul Mariano Lemus Gas obtained honorific mention for his professional thesis “The Relations of Mexico-United States. In 1980 the Senate of Mexico ratified him as an Ambassador, which made him the youngest Ambassador at the time. He has worked in public service on International Affairs in many capacities as General Director ever since.

Larry P. Mason has been on the Board of School Trustees, Clark County School District since 1993 and has served twice as President and Vice-President. He is currently the Interim Vice- President Office of Diversity and Inclusion for the College of Southern Nevada. Throughout his career he has been honored many times and was appointed by U.S. Senator Harry Reid to serve on the U.S. Hispanic Senatorial Task Force.

Rudy Prieto is CEO and general manager of the Las Vegas Hilton. He has spent his professional life in the entertainment, hospitality and gaming industries, both internationally and throughout the United States. He started his career at age 14 with the Hilton Corporation, serving for 10 years in various capacities and afterwards was associated with several major resorts and casinos. He became vice president of hotel operations and marketing at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, and later transferred to the Tropicana in Las Vegas, where he was ultimately promoted to executive vice president and general manager. 

A Special Recognition was given to world Renowned Recording Star Marco Antonio Muniz.  Known all over Latin America, apart from his multiple albums and concerts, Muniz has also appeared several times on television shows across Latin America, especially in his native Mexico and his beloved Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rican singer, Marc Anthony’s (JLo’s husband) real name is Marco Antonio as he was named after Marco Antonio Muniz. However, he later changed his name to Marc Anthony in order to prevent public confusion between him and Marco Antonio Muniz.  Marco Antonio Muniz sang a beautiful song that thrilled the audience.

I was seated at the table next to him and he was mobbed by guests who were adoring fans.

Linette Chapelle, Siegfried Fischbacher, Lorraine Hunt Bono, Dennis Bono, Annee Nounna

Carole (Sandy Peltyn's assistant,) Siegfried Fischbacher and Dr. Adele Zorn

Adam Perez, his wife on left and Miss Mexico Pageant winners

Andam Perez, his wife on left, Miss Mexico Pageant winner with Dr. Adele Zorn

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and husband Dr. Larry Lehner

Nellis Air Force Honor guards

Honoree Larry Mason with Dr. Adele Zorn

Honoree Rudy Prieto

Honoree Tibi Ellis

Presenting proclamation to Marco Antonio Muniz

Marco Antonio Muniz

Papoto Varet with world renowned singer, Marco Antonio Muniz

Honorees Tibi Contreras Ellis, Marco Antonio Munic and Franz Czeisler Tihany

Isabel Colon (Sandy Peltyn's sister and significant other)

Salada Morrison and friend

Marco Antonio Muniz, Consul Mariano Lemus Gas and Eddie Escobedo

Carlos Collado and Dayaisi

On the dance floor

Carlos Colloda and fiancee'

Carmen Mahan and Irene Bustamante Adams

Isabel Perera Pfeifer and Dr. Adele Zorn

Guest with Isabel Pfeifer and Dorothy Huffy

Entertainment was provided by dancing stars Maria Nicolini Bergman, Eddie Guerra and Ashley Gable and Veronica Valdes.  Feathered hats, boas and party shakers were provided to guests by carnival costumed hostesses. After dinner, the excellent orchestra and singer kept the merriment going and guests were dancing wearing their party favors. Sandy Colin Peltyn, who had been a famous singer in Puerto Rico, stepped up to the bandstand and wowed the audience with a song. The dancing went on and on and no one seemed to want to leave. But, eventually, the fun and glitzy evening that was enjoyed by all, ended.