Left to right: State Senator Vanna Howard, Lisa Maldonado, Chris Romero and State Rep. Tara Hong.
The dedicated public service of Dracut’s Lidia Maldonado and the heartfelt pride Christopher Romero carries for the City of Lowell were celebrated at the 2026 Latino Excellence on the Hill awards during a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, September 24.
Senator Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) nominated Maldonado in recognition of her distinguished service to the Commonwealth and her steadfast commitment to the local community.
Throughout her career, Lidia has provided vital public service across several key state agencies, including the Sex Offender Registry Board, the Department of Children and Families, and the Lawrence District Court.
In addition to her professional contributions, she is deeply engaged in community advancement and advocacy. Her impactful volunteer and leadership efforts include supporting youth and education through Lawrence Public Schools and the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club, as well as serving Delmano Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing critical support services to survivors of domestic violence.
“Lidia’s compassionate service has provided stability to vulnerable individuals, empowered youth leaders, and transformed survivors into advocates,” said Senator Howard. “Through her work on the Sex Offender Registry Board, she demonstrates an enduring commitment to public safety and justice. It is a privilege to honor her with the 2026 Latino Excellence on the Hill award for her purpose-driven leadership.”
Representative Tara Hong (D-Lowell) said he nominated Romero because of his unflinching love for his community, which includes volunteering his time with Coalition for a Better Acre and bringing positivity to community events.
“Chris brings incredible energy and enthusiasm everywhere he goes. He has a special way of bringing joy into every room and making people feel welcomed and connected. You can always find him showing up at community events, engaging with people, and using his voice to remind us why being involved matters. Our community is stronger because of people like Chris who show up, bring people together, and help get things done,” said Representative Hong.
About the Nominees
Lidia Maldonado began her public service career as a social worker with the Department of Children and Families in Lawrence.
In 2014, she became a probation officer at Lawrence District Court, supervising offenders and facilitating programs such as Drug Court, the Motherhood Program, and Changing Lives Through Literature. She has also participated in career fairs through Lawrence Public Schools and the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club and programs to help encourage Latinas to attend college. She has served on the Board of Directors of Delmano Inc, a nonprofit organization providing supporting services to domestic violence survivors.
In 2020, Lidia was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to the Sex Offender Registry Board, where she continues her public service determining the classification levels of convicted sex offenders residing and/or working in the Commonwealth.
She is a graduate of Lawrence High School, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Suffolk University with a concentration in Criminology and Law, and a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University.
Christopher Romero is a resident of Lowell’s Acre Neighborhood, a volunteer, and an active participant in the Lowell community.
Chris’s enthusiasm for the City of Lowell cannot be overstated – whenever there is a community event, city council meeting, festival, concert, roundtable, demonstration or celebration, Chris will be found–taking photos, having conversations, and always looking for ways to lend a hand.
Chris is a volunteer for Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA), a community organization dedicated to resident empowerment and sustainable community revitalization for current and future residents of Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. He is also civically engaged and regularly attends City Council meetings, as well as participating in local and state campaigns.
Senator Howard represents the First Middlesex District which includes Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell, and Tyngsborough. Representative Hong represents the 18th Middlesex District, which covers the Acre and the Highland section in Lowell.
