The month of April marks the time the club hosts its annual Shining Stars Awards Dinner. Each year three women in the community are honored for their outstanding efforts in Professional, Educational and Community contributions.

The 2011 Shining Stars Honorees are  Mariella Gorena, Patty Fallek, and Edna Posada.                                                      

Mariella Gorena has been honored for her service to Education and Youth.  A native of Edinburg, Mariella graduated from Edinburg High School.  At Pan American University she majored in Elementary Education and earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Houston.  She later added certifications in early childhood, bilingual, supervision and mid-management.  Since 1971, Mariella has been inspiring students in the McAllen ISD.  In her classroom, Mariella provided students the opportunity to experience life, to touch, feel, think and discover.  Currently, as the principal of Wilson Elementary School, her message to parents is “it takes loving and committed families side-by-side with dedicated teachers to prepare children for good citizenship and success in today’s world.”



Patty Fallek has been honored for her community service.  Patty is the ultimate volunteer, helping numerous organizations accomplish their goal to help enhance the quality of life for residents of the Rio Grande Valley.  Her time has been spent volunteering in schools, museums and helping the needy in our community.  Among the organizations benefiting from Patty’s passion to make the world a better place to live are Junior League of McAllen, American Cancer Society, Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer Center and Hemotology Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Morris Middle School, McAllen High School, and Temple Emanuel.  Every year Patty participates in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life which begins with a victory lap with all the survivors, many of whom she has counseled.  “When I first start around the track, I’m so full of emotion I can’t breathe,” she said.  That’s a result of a life spent helping others.



Edna Posada has been honored for her professional contributions to the community.  Edna is president and sole owner of Aldani Inc.  In 1989, Edna formed the corporation when she had the opportunity to purchase a small retail cosmetic store in McAllen.  Today, Aldani, Inc. owns three Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios and three Spa LaPosada locations offering a broad range of spa and salon services, clothing, accessories, shoes, and cosmetic products to customers throughout the Rio Grande Valley and provides employment to 23 women.  Edna is active in many mentoring and support organizations that encourage and assist women to achieve success in business. Having received many awards for her business achievements, Edna says her greatest accomplishment is when she receives thanks from women who tell her she has served as a mentor and inspiration to them to start their own business.