Last month, Sen. Pavel M. Payano hosted a heartfelt celebration at the Lawrence Public Library to conclude Hispanic Heritage Month and honor Hispanic elders from the First Essex District whose lifelong dedication, humility and service have quietly shaped the Merrimack Valley.
The event recognized elders from Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence who have spent decades building stronger communities, often behind the scenes and rarely seeking recognition for the impact they have made. Each honoree was celebrated for their enduring commitment to education, culture, faith and civic engagement, as well as for their example of leadership through service.
From Methuen, Mireya Castillo, María Arias and Leonor T. Sánchez were honored for their compassion, leadership and dedication to community building. Sánchez, who also served as Gran Mariscal of Semana Hispana 2025, was celebrated for her decades in education and her contributions to preserving Peruvian culture in the Merrimack Valley.
“Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate culture, history and progress, but it’s equally important to honor those who have carried our communities forward with their wisdom and work,” said Payano. “These elders remind us that leadership doesn’t always stand at the front of the room. Sometimes, it is found in the quiet acts of compassion and persistence that hold a community together.”
Sen. Pavel Payano’s Methuen senior nominees Maria Arias (left), Mareya Castillo (right) and Leonor T. Sánchez (could not attend ceremony) received awards during Hispanic Heritage Month. Courtesy photos
