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MEDIA CONTACT: Jace Radke | 702.229.2205 | 702.249.3514 | jradke@lasvegasnevada.gov
HONOR Award Winners Announced
Annual Event Was Held Jan. 16, 2024
The winners of the second annual HONOR (Honrando Orgullosamente Nuestras Obras y Raíces) Latino Awards were announced at Las Vegas City Hall Jan. 16, 2024.
The awards recognize the achievements of community leaders and trailblazers who have made outstanding civic accomplishments and contributions to the Las Vegas community. This year’s winners included:
- Emerging Leader Award – Yvette Machado
Machado is the daughter of migrants from Pasaje Machala, Ecuador, and Peten, Guatemala, with K'iche Mayan roots. Her belief in education access brought her to Washington D.C., to advocate for education accessibility for Latino students and students with mixed immigration status. In her community work, Machado was recognized as the Governor's Point of Light Collegiate Volunteer of the Year. She has created scholarships for women and undocumented students, and established a fellowship program to provide opportunities for student workers ineligible for employment or public funding due to their immigration status.
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Advancing Arts & Culture Award – Jose Antonio Gonzalez
Born in Gardena, California, Gonzalez began his mariachi career at the age of 15, performing with a community mariachi ensemble. The following year, Gonzalez joined a professional mariachi ensemble with former members of world-renowned Mariachi Sol De Mexico and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano.
Eventually Gonzalez started his very own mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Nuestras Raices de Jose A. Gonzalez. He has performed alongside the world's premiere mariachi ensembles numerous times and has grown to be an internationally recognized and award-winning mariachi.
- Business and Economic Advancement Award – William y Eugenia Tejeda
With roots in Mexico and El Salvador, the Tejedas are the proud owners and operators of Crepe Station, a successful and growing local Latino-owned business. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, the Tejedas began doing what they know best ― making their crepes. After years of hard work and perseverance, they started their own business in East Las Vegas. Since then, they have grown to include two locations, providing catering services across the valley, and supporting numerous community events throughout the year.
- Advancing Equity in Healthcare Award – Puentes
Puentes is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community-based organization focused on reducing systemic and structural inequity. They serve communities at a higher risk for poor outcomes as a result of the barriers they experience to social, economic, political and environmental resources.
Last year, Puentes conducted 785 outreach events throughout Southern Nevada. By hiring and empowering individuals from the communities they serve, Puentes prioritizes cultural sensitivity as a pillar.
- Spiritual Community Trailblazer Award – Padre Rafael Pereira Alvarez
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Padre Rafael Pereira Alvarez had a career in finance and was a successful entrepreneur in the import-export, wholesale and retail sector, before relocating to Las Vegas in the year 2000 and successfully establishing a parcel delivery business. In 2012, he joined the Episcopal Church, eventually being ordained to the priesthood in 2016. He has served on the board of directors for the Southern Nevada Health District and is currently the priest in charge of All Saints Episcopal Church, home to a large and diverse community of 600 parishioners. Opening the church doors and facilities to all community members, regardless of race, socio-economic background, gender or sexual orientation, All Saints Episcopal Church currently operates the Southern Nevada Health District Sexual Health Clinic.
- Educating our Community Trailblazer Award – Omar Lopez
Omar Lopez was born and raised in the Historic Westside of Las Vegas, where he still resides and works. Omar is a first-generation, high school graduate who continued to be a trailblazer for his family by also being the first to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Working alongside the Las Vegas community for more than 20 years, Lopez has represented government and nonprofit entities for more than 15 years
As a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department crime prevention specialist, Lopez teaches and provides the public with the tools needed to avoid becoming victims of crime.
- Outstanding Leadership Trailblazer Award – Maritza Rodriguez
With roots in Costa Rica, Maritza Rodriguez immigrated to Northern Nevada in 2002,
eventually finding her new home in Las Vegas. For more than 12 years, Maritza has worked with the Las Vegas community in a variety of roles and capacities. She began her community work promoting voter rights, and she has continuously advocated for fair wages and immigrant rights. Rodriquez is involved as a volunteer and member of numerous community organizations, including Chispa Nevada, the Comité Centro America y Mexico , Mi Familia Vota, y Fundacion Naciones Unidas Corazon de Plata.
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