SAN ANTONIO, TX – San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ) is proud to announce that legendary Tejano artist Shelly Lares will be honored with the 2025 Corazón de Oro Award at the annual scholarship and awards gala, to be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
In addition to honoring the scholarship recipients, SAAHJ will award Shelly Lares with the coveted Corazón de Oro (Heart of Gold) award.
Known affectionately as “Little Miss Dynamite,” Shelly Lares has captivated audiences with her powerhouse voice, heartfelt lyrics, and unwavering dedication to her community. A San Antonio native, Lares began performing professionally at age 10 and quickly rose to prominence in the Tejano music scene. Her career has been marked by chart-topping hits, Grammy nominations and a fierce passion for advocacy.
SAAHJ President Isis Romero stated, “Shelly Lares truly exemplifies the spirit of the Corazón de Oro Award. With a career spanning over four decades, she has been a catalyst for positive change in her community, paving the way for an entire new generation of leaders and changemakers.”
The SAAHJ Gala is the organization’s premier fundraising event, supporting the SAAHJ mission and providing scholarships for local students who aspire to a career in journalism or communications. The evening will feature a seated dinner, riveting program and an award ceremony. As this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Community First Health Plans (CFHP) will also host a special performance by Shelly Lares and friends directly following the program.
“At Community First Health Plans, we believe in the power of education and community support, which is why we’re honored to contribute to the mission of providing scholarships for students and honoring leaders like Shelly Lares who inspire change and put our community first,” said Judy Razo, Vice President of Experience and Growth with Community First Health Plans.
Individual tickets will be available soon. Sponsorship packages start at $3,500. To become a sponsor, please visit SAHispanicJournalists.com/Gala or contact Misty Harris at [email protected] or Vanessa C. Torres at [email protected].
