October 2024
**VIVA TAMPA BAY AWARDS 2024**
The presentation of the ninth annual VIVA TAMPA BAY COMMUNITY HEROES’ AWARDS took place.
The main message and purpose of this annual recognition is to acknowledge the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of citizens residing in Tampa County during Hispanic Heritage Month. These are our heroes who have served our country and, day by day, contribute to our community, protect us, and provide education to our children.
**GOLD STAR FAMILY RECOGNITION**
Goldstar Mother, Mrs. Tanya Mort, in memory of her son and Marine Sergeant Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt.
**U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND DISTINGUISHED MILITARY MEMBER AWARD**
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Ulisses Bautista, United States Central Command.
**DISTINGUISHED FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AWARD**
Special Agent (SA) Yenixa Pérez, Homeland Security Investigations.
**DISTINGUISHED FIRST RESPONDERS AWARD**
Deputy Alexis Camacho-Zapata, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
**DISTINGUISHED FIRST RESPONDERS AWARD**
Officer Liz DeJesus Ramos, Tampa Police Department.
**DISTINGUISHED FIRST RESPONDERS AWARD**
District Chief Gerardo Pardo, Tampa Fire Rescue – Firefighter of the Year.
**DISTINGUISHED FIRST RESPONDERS AWARD**
Deputy Amanda Calderón, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
**EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD – EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR**
Mrs. Jessica De La Prida, Hillsborough County Public Schools.
**Amigo Award**
Mr. Nick Brigante, PetSmart Manager.
We give a thousand thanks to our special guests for attending:
– Yolanda Mercado, Goldstar Mother.
– Retired U.S. Army Special Forces General H. Pagán.
– Retired Armed Forces Colonel Evelio Otero.
– Colonel Gerald Law, Sergeant Paul Sleeper, and Sergeant Brandon Ledford from the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.
– Mrs. Shay McRae, Deputy Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools.
– Lee Bercaw, Chief of the Tampa Police Department.
– Mrs. Bobby Pridemore representing Sheriff Chris Nocco and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
– Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Mike Cochran, Homeland Security Investigations.
October 2023
The Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage award recognition ceremony. Honoring our Hispanic American First Responders, Firefighters, Police Officers, Gold Star families, teachers and Veteran
2023 Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Community Heroes Awards
October, 2022
The Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage award recognition ceremony. Honoring our Hispanic American First Responders, Firefighters, Police Officers, Gold Star families, teachers and Veterans.
2022 Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Community Heroes Awards
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, congratulations to all the 2022 ViVa Tampa Bay Community Heroes Award winners.
Congratulations to:
Deputy Alexander Maldonado-Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Ricardo Ortiz-Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Hector Zurita-Tampa Police Department
Driver-Engineer Angelo Santos-Martinez-Tampa Fire Rescue
Sheriff Chris Nocco-Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Tampa Military Gold Star Family-Mrs. Jeanette L. Nazario
Special Agent Celita Horn-Homeland Security Investigations
Araseli Martinez-Pena-Hillsborough County Public Schools
Gunnery Sergeant Edgar Villafane Tarrats-United States Central Command
The Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage award recognition ceremony. Honoring our Hispanic american First Responders, Firefighters, Police Officers, Gold Star families, teachers and Veterans.
October, 2021
The Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage award recognition ceremony. Honoring our Hispanic american First Responders, Firefighters, Police Officers, Gold Star families, teachers and Veterans.
The Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage award recognition ceremony. Honoring our Hispanic american First Responders, Firefighters, Police Officers, Gold Star families, teachers and Veterans.
October, 2020
We congratulate the 2020 ViVa Tampa Bay award winners. Honorees are selected by their respective peers for his or her outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of life and advancement of the Tampa community. The diversity of Florida’s people and cultures truly makes Tampa one of the most vibrant communities’ in the country. We go the extra mile by proudly recognizing our men and women in uniform every single year.
VIVA TAMPA BAY FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY & COMMUNITY AWARD PRESENTATIONS
October 3, 2019
We congratulate the 2019 ViVa Tampa Bay award winners. Honorees are selected by their respective peers for his or her outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of life and advancement of the Tampa community. The diversity of Florida’s people and cultures truly makes Tampa one of the most vibrant communities’ in the country. We go the extra mile by proudly recognizing our men and women in uniform every single year.
GOLD STAR MOTHER AWARD
IGNACIA SEIJA
HUMANITARIAN AND AMIGA AWARD
Mayor Jane Castor
HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY AWARD
MARISOL DIEGUEZ
HUMANITARIAN & AMIGO AWARD
Bill Miller CEO OF BREEDLOVE FOODS
TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR
MASTER POLICE OFFICER JEFF SANCHEZ
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DEPUTY OF THE YEAR
CORPORAL MANUEL GONZALEZ
PASCO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY OF THE YEAR
BRIAN HERNANDEZ
TAMPA FIRE RESCUE, FIRE INVESTIGATOR-
FRANK ROSETE
DISTINGUISHED VETERAN COMMUNITY AWARD OF THE YEAR
MR. NATHAN CRUZ DISTINGUISHED
SOLDIER OF THE YEAR
TSGT LUIS CASAS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR
ANA ELIZABETH SANCHEZ
COMMUNITY HUMANITARIAN AWARD
LUIS JUARBE
