Gala showcases role models

ANDOVER -- There was a red carpet, flashing camera lights, even a Hollywood-style interviewer at the door. But this wasn't a movie premiere, the Emmys, or the prom. It was something more intimate and closer to home, said those in gowns and three-piece suits.

Billed the ``Latin Pride National Awards," the event last Thursday was an opportunity for the Lawrence-based Latin Pride Magazine to honor Latinos around the country who have done well professionally (although more than half the recipients work in New England, including two in Lawrence). Inside Andover's Wyndham Hotel were all the trappings of other Latino award events seen in Texas, California, New Mexico, and Arizona -- Latin music, dancers, alcohol, and Johnnie Walker ads.

Upon walking in, Lawrence community activist Isabel Melendez paused before taking a stroll on the red carpet. Then she grabbed the ropes and gave her version of a fashion walk. ``I feel like Ms. Universe," she said.

For months now, the owners of Latino News newspaper and Latin Pride have been promoting the evening as a star-studded event seeking to bring to light successful Latinos. Among those receiving ``awards" were Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, Lawrence Superintendent Wilfredo T. Laboy, and Lawrence Police Chief John J. Romero.

Spectators wanted to see Ortiz on the red carpet (he never made it), but instead were treated to local Latino leaders receiving a Hollywood-style greeting.

``I think it's great that we take pride in our heritage and our culture," said Romero before accepting his award for Leadership Excellence. ``For me, it's a great honor to be recognized. But it's not me. It's the department" that's done a good job.

The event was a rare one for Lawrence Latinos, said state Representative William Lantigua, Democrat of Lawrence. The evening gave outsiders a chance to see Latinos away from the stereotypical images often portrayed in the media, he said. ``It's a way to show those who, for whatever reasons, have any doubts that we have role models," said Lantigua.

About 400 people showed up for the event, according to organizers.

Making an appearance was Kathleen Herles, voice of the cartoon character Dora the Explorer, who the next day, accompanied Laboy to Lawrence preschools to meet some of the city's students.

Santiago Matías, president and CEO of Latin Pride Magazine, said the magazine's editors chose the honorees after reading articles about Latinos in the area. ``At first, we wanted people from Boston," Matías said. ``Then we started looking in other places, reading articles in other magazines" about Latino professionals, he said.

In one case, an honoree had his businesses buy ads in the special Latin Pride Magazine's Latin Pride Award September/October edition. TerraHealth chairman Ted Terrazas was named as a top Latino businessman honoree. The San Antonio-based TerraHealth provides medical support for the federal government. Along with a full-page spread with a profile of Terrazas, the magazine also had a full page from TerraHealth in the front of the magazine. Matías said Terrazas expressed interest in buying an advertisement, only after he was notified about receiving an award.

Being honored by the community and highlighting those Latino making a difference was what matters, said Laboy, who received the magazine's Educator Award.

``It's an honor to be honored by your own community," Laboy said. ``It validates who you are. My leadership is validated by the people I serve, not the headlines that I get, not the columns that are written" about me.

Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com.