Señoras of Excellence, Señores of Distinction Gala celebrates 16 years

French Quarter Magazine has been honored to cover this fabulous Awards Gala event. Special thanks to our outstanding contributor, Marie Parant, who made this video for our media outlet and who took time out of her work and study schedule. Tune in and enjoy the short video about Señoras of Excellence, Señores of Distinction Gala event.

Last September 17, 2021, in spite of the pandemonium, the long-awaited 16th annual Señoras of Excellence and Señores of Distinction Awards Gala took place in the Westgate Resort. This is one Gala of Las Vegas’ most prestigious and elegant events of the year — one that has been successfully celebrated for years.

The Sandy Peltyn Foundation of Excellence, under the presidency of Maggie Arias-Petrel, was created by Mrs Peltyn as a means of providing scholarships to deserving students in Southern Nevada. Every year, the Señoras of Excellence group continue with Sandy’s legacy and celebrate her mission of honoring women and men whom also have made a difference bringing our community together. It is all about the students that have been sent to college and making education a reality. Many past scholarship recipients were in attendance to share their stories of success through education and celebrate their accomplishments.

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak were the Gala’ special guests of honor.

The hosted reception featured a silent auction, entertainment by the Las Vegas High School mariachi band who performed at Biden’s presidential inauguration. A harpist played during the reception along with some Latino performers visiting Las Vegas that week for the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

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

“Education Matters”

The honorees focusing on Health care included:

Señoras of Excellence

Olivia Diaz, Councilwoman

Vida Lin, President of the Asian Community Council

Rita Vaswani, VP Nevada State Bank and Healthcare Advocate

Señores of Distinction

Dr. Marlow Hernandez, CEO, Cano Health

Jim Murren, Chairman, Nevada State COVID Relief Task Force

Corporation of the Year

Cano Health

1^st Annual Sandy Peltyn Foundation of Excellence Award

Dr. Rachakonda Prabhu, President, Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners

Community Hero

Jackie Siegel, Co-founder of Victoria’s Voice

Header Photo Credit: from Marie Parant’s video.

About the Author

Isabelle Karamooz, Founder of FQM is originally from Versailles, France. Isabelle harbored a lifelong fascination with exploring the world. Her journey began at 17 when she seized the opportunity to study abroad in Rhonda, Spain, igniting a passion for travel that took her across continents. From vibrant Hong Kong to picturesque Ireland, from the historic streets of Italy to the enchanting landscapes of Morocco, she embraced diverse cultures and experiences, truly embodying the spirit of a global citizen. After several years of exploration, Isabelle found a sense of home in Los Angeles, where she immersed herself in the vibrant cultural scene while working at the French Consulate. With a deep-seated love for the arts and history, she pursued her academic endeavors, earning a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of California, Berkeley. Furthering her dedication to education, she has studied to pursue a Master's program in teaching at the University of Southern California, eventually sharing her knowledge and passion as a French instructor for aspiring students at UNLV and CSN in Nevada. Driven by her passion for storytelling and cultural exchange, Isabelle founded French Quarter Magazine, where she serves as the Editor-in-Chief. In this role, she orchestrates the publication's diverse content, from conducting interviews and pitching story ideas to capturing captivating moments through photography. Currently, she is channeling her creative energies into her first English-language work, a novel that delves into the compelling life of Coco Chanel. Filled with adventure, intrigue, and a touch of romance, her debut novel promises to captivate readers with its rich tapestry of history and emotion.