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.

Distinguished First Responders Award:
 
-Master Deputy Alberto Taveras of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
 
-Sgt. David Michaelson of the Tampa Police Department 
 
-Deputy Sheriff and Chief Pilot John Perez, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
 
-Rafael Pizano, firefighter with Tampa Fire Rescue
 
Distinguished Federal law enforcement community award:
 
-Special Agent Carlos Carrasquillo with Homeland Security Investigations
 
Excellence in Education Award- Educator of the year:
 
-Druci Diaz, Hillsborough Co. School District Program Advisor 
 
Gold Star Family award:
 
-In honor of Eugene J. Lopez of the 4th Marine Division USMC who died in combat at Kia Iwo Jima.
 
Amigo and Amiga award:
 
-Victoria Bondoc of Gemini Industries
 
-Jay Collins, U.S. Army Special Forces Combat Veteran and Purple Heart recipient
Thank you to our partners and sponsors. 
Rumba 106.5
Due Amici Sauces 
Gemini Industries Inc. 
Starbucks 
Course of Action Foundation 
Crown Trophy Tampa
The Room Marketing
Tampa Marriott Water Street 
Mayor Jane Castor 
Crown Trophy Tampa

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.

Distinguished First Responders Award:
 
-Detective Rosmelynn Angelakopoulous. Tampa Police Department
 
-Detective Pedro Leos. Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
 
-Master Detective Manrique Diaz. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
 
-Driver Engineer Alberto Arias. Tampa Fire Rescue
 
Distinguished Federal law enforcement community award:
 
-Special Agent Luis Aquino. Homeland Security Investigations
 
Distinguished military service member award:
 
-Yeoman First class Adam Garcia
 
Excellence in Education Award- Educator of the year:
 
– Eveleen Garcia, District Bilingual school counselor 
 
Amigo and Amiga award:
 
-Kathy Koch and the Aeromed team at Tampa General Hospital
 
Gold Star Family Recognition:
 
-Carlos and Catherine Del Castillo
IN MEMORY OF 1LT Dimitri A. Del Castillo
Thank you to our partners and sponsors. 
Gemini Industries
Starbucks
Rice N’ Beans
Crown Trophy
Rumba 106.5
The Room Marketing 
Marriot Water Street Hotel and Marina
Course of Action Foundation. 
Special thank you to Mayor Jane Castor for hosting the awards.

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