May '10 Entertainment—Z.Z. Zorn's Society News Column

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SENORAS of EXCELLENCE—SENORES of DISTINCTION GALA
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he 2010 Senoras of Excellence—Senores of Distinction Awards Gala was held at Wynn’s Latour Ballroom. The black tie event was co-hosted by Sandy Colon Peltyn and Alma Garcia Vining and honored author and music producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. among outstanding members of the Las Vegas community. This annual event was created to honor men and women who have excelled in their professional careers as well as having contributed to the enrichment of the Latin community.

The event benefited The Latin Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Scholarship Fund which provides needy and deserving youth in Southern Nevada the opportunity to go to college and succeed in life. During the six years Sandy Colon Peltyn and Alma Garcia Vining have hosted this Gala, an excess of 130 scholarships have been awarded to well-deserved students.

This year’s Gala was amazing from start to finish. As guests arrived they were greeted by music played by costumed Mariachis and Folklorico Dancers in a parallel line.

After walking through this line to enter the ballroom, guests were greeted by very tall (about 10-foot tall) red costumed showgirls.

And if this wasn’t enough, guests walked on a red carpet that was an elongated red train of a dress worn by a beautiful model.

The event started with a cocktail reception and silent auction where beautiful music was performed by young musicians.

Lavishly dressed guests enjoyed mingling and ogling the walking tree.

Walking Tree with Sandy Colon Peltyn and Carmen Smith.
Each guest had their picture taken and their picture was put in a frame and given to the guest as a gift.

Dinner was then served on tables with beautifully appointed linens and decorations.

The Awards Ceremony was presented between dinner courses. M.C.s for the Awards Ceremony was Juergen Barbusca and R.J. Peltyn.

Dr. Andres Costas-Centivany and R.J. Peltyn

R.J. Peltyn and Mairim
Each honoree was presented with their award onstage and gave a short speech before walking through military Honor Guards who raised their swords forming an arch for the Honoree 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. Afterwards each award recipient was escorted to their seat by the very handsome Papote Varete and the very beautiful Isabel Trelles.

The SENORAS of EXCELLENCE honorees were:

Pam Beal—Executive Director, Southern Nevada Immunization Coalition

Julie Urrunagea-Gutierrez, M.D.—President and Founder, Professional Latinas Group

Annette Teijeiro, M.D.—President, Clark County Medical Society

Valorie J. Vega—Eight Judicial District Court Judge

The SENORES of DISTINCTION honorees were:

Andre’s Costas-Centivany, M.D.—Past Chairman, Department of Anesthesia, UMC

Consul Aner Iglesias—CEO, E& T Foods, Inc.

Tony Sanchez—Senior Vice President, NV Energy

Rafael “Ray” Vega—Business and Civic Leader

A special award CORPORATION of EXCELLENCE—HARRAH’s Entertainment Inc.

Was accepted by Marilyn Winn—President, Bally’s and Paris

While this award was accepted numerous employees of HARRAH’s filed down and stood on each side of the vast floor as Marilyn Winn spoke of their efforts.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Franz Czeisler Tihany

R.J. Peltyn, Franz Czeisler Tihany, Papote Varet and Showgirl
As the Lifetime Achievement Award was announced, Circus performers and showgirls came onstage and performed to the delight of the audience. Certainly this was appropriate as the Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient was the founder of the Tihany Spectacular Circus.

Tihany Circus Showgirls

Tihany Circus Performer
Another spectacular event occurred before the announcement of the International Senor of Distinction Award. An amazing artist JEAN FRANCOIS performed his extreme art as he brought to life the portrait of Emilio Estefan. He painted a door and out came The International Senor of Distinction, Emilio Estefan, Jr.

INTERNATIONAL SENOR of DISTINCTION AWARD: Emilio Estefan, Jr.

Author and Music Producer (Miami Sound Machine) Emilio Estefan, Jr.
Guests also had the honor of seeing and taking pictures with Emilio Estefan and his beautiful wife, the very talented Gloria Estefan.

Gloria Estevan and Dr. Adele Zorn

A raffle prize had the audience excited and brought in a vast amount of financial benefit to the Latin Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Scholarship Fund.

R.J. and Sandy Peltyn on right announcing raffle winner.
Feathered boas, hats and party shakers were provided to guests by showgirl costumed hostesses and the excellent orchestra and singers kept the merriment going as guests were dancing wearing their party favors.

Debbie and Robert Holgate

Dance Orchestra and Singers
Among the vast amount of guests attending were: U.S. Congresswoman, Shelley Berkley with husband Dr. Larry Lehrner, Lynette Chappelle (Dragon Lady in Siegfried and Roy’s Show, Drs. Ted and Parvin Jacobs, Jack and Nancy Weinstein, (Tower of Jewels), Carmen and Arthur Mahan, Lisette Rosa, Ed Bernstein, Larry Hart and Michael Lach, Nancy Allt and so many others too numerous to mention.

The dancing went on and on and no one seemed to want to leave. Eventually, the fun and glitzy evening that was enjoyed by all, ended.

Accolades go to Sandy Peltyn and Alma Garcia Vining for co-hosting an exceptional Gala Event and for their relentless dedication to the Latin Community.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AND © DR. ADELE “Z.Z.” ZORN AND USED WITH PERMISSION.