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Reserve la fecha: viernes 16 de octubre de 2026 para la quinta edición anual Celebrando Comunidad: Premios Latinos + Celebración. Este evento, iniciado en 2021 por personal, facultad, estudiantes, ex alumnos, y los miembros de la comunidad reconoce y celebra las contribuciones de aquellos en South Puget Sound que se identifican como miembros de comunidades o organizaciones Latine que impactan directamente y positivamente a las comunidades Latine del South Sound.
Las nominaciones para 2026 se abriran el 26 de mayo de 2026.
Categorías de Premios
Dueño de un Negocio: Reconoce un negocio perteneciente a la comunidad Latinx que sobresale en la creación de comunidad y servicio a la comunidad.
Líder Emergente: Reconoce liderazgo, potencial y crecimiento al ayudar a que las comunidades latinas del South Sound prosperen. Puede ser estudiante universitario o recién egresado (universidad, college comunitario o técnico) O un/a líder de carrera temprana (incluyendo segunda o tercera carrera).
Karl Ortiz Premio a la Juventud: Reconoce la resiliencia, los logros y el potencial de contribuir como líder para estudiantes de educación secundaria o programa equivalente.
Justicia Social: Reconoce a personas o grupos que trabajan con el fin de traer justicia (en el nombre de la justicia), contribuyendo de forma significativa a las causas que impactan a las comunidades latinx y otras comunidades de color.
Artes y Cultura: Reconoce a personas o grupos por su contribución a artes y prácticas culturales de gran significado a las comunidades latin@s. Ejemplos pueden incluir palabras habladas y poesía slam, pintura, arquitectura, música, literatura, teatro, baile, creación de avenidas/foros que facilitan el crecimiento del arte y cultura latinx, etc.
Liderazgo Latine en Sistemas de Salud: Reconoce a personas u organizaciones que demuestran su empeño (dedicación) para aumentar el acceso a cuidados de salud de alta calidad y que son culturalmente adecuados para las comunidades latinx, promoviendo la salud y el bienestar de la comunidad.
Educación Latine: Reconoce a una persona, grupo u organización que apoye a las comunidades latinas en el logro del éxito educativo, incluyendo educación popular o cultural. Este premio no se limita únicamente a entornos escolares o universitarios.
Materiales de Aplicación
Para una buena nominación, es importante conversar de 20 a 30 minutos con su candidato. Le invitamos a utilizar las siguientes preguntas para guiar su conversación. Estas preguntas se corresponden directamente con el formulario de nominación.
Iniciadores de conversación
- Artes y Cultura
- Dueno de un negocio
- Lider Emergente
- Liderazgo Latine en Sistemas de Salud
- Premio Karl Ortiz para la Juventud
- Educación Latine
- Justicia Social
Las postulaciones para 2026 ya están cerradas.
Save the date: Friday, October 16th, 2026 for the fifth annual Celebrando Comunidad: Latine Awards + Celebration. This event started in 2021 by staff, faculty, alumni, and community members recognizes and celebrates the contributions of those in the Puget Sound who identify as members of the Latine communities or organizations who directly and positively impact South Sound Latine communities.
Nominations for 2026 will open on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Award Categories
Business Owner: Recognizes a business excelling in community building, service, and catering to the Latine community.
Emerging Leader: Recognizes leadership, potential, and growth in helping South Sound Latine communities thrive. Can be a college student or recent college alum (university, community or technical college) OR an early career leader (including second or third careers).
Karl Ortiz Youth Award: Recognizes the resilience, accomplishments, and potential to contribute as future leaders of high school and high school equivalency students.
Social Justice: Recognizes individuals or organizations that work in the spirit of justice, contributing meaningfully to causes that impact Latine communities and other communities of color.
Arts & Culture: Recognizes individuals or organizations for their contributions to arts and cultural practices that carry deep and varied meanings to Latine communities. Examples may include spoken word and slam poetry, painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, drama, dance, creating venues/forums that facilitate the growth of Latino arts and cultures, etc.
Healthcare Leadership: Recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate a commitment to increasing access to high-quality and culturally competent healthcare for Latinx communities, promoting health and wellbeing.
Latine Education: Recognizes an individual, group, or organization that serves Latine communities in pursuing educational success, including popular or cultural education. This award is not strictly limited to school or university environments.
Application Materials
For a good nomination it is important to have a 20 to 30 minute conversation with your nominee. We invite you to use the following questions to guide your conversation. These questions directly correspond with the nomination form.
Conversation Starters:
- Arts and Culture
- Business Owner
- Emerging Leader
- Healthcare Leadership
- Karl Ortiz Youth Award
- Latine Education
- Social Justice
Nominations for 2026 are now closed.
Become a 2026 sponsor
Aprenda más sobre nuestro sistema de patrocinadores para saber como hacemos este evento posible. Learn more about our sponsor system to understand how this event is made possible.
2025 Awardees
Art and Culture Award
Delia Flores
Delia Flores is honored with the Arts and Culture Award for her transformative work in making Tacoma’s public spaces vibrant, inclusive centers for cultural connection. Through her role in community engagement at Parks Tacoma, she has expanded access and belonging for immigrant, refugee, and limited-English-speaking communities by centering cultural traditions, language access, and community-led programming. Rooted in values of family, solidarity, respect, and social justice, Delia has helped create meaningful partnerships and free, authentic cultural experiences that bring people together to celebrate heritage. Her work goes beyond programming—fostering healing, reducing isolation, and ensuring all community members feel seen, valued, and connected.
Latine Education Award
Dr. Ilder Andres Betancourt-Lopez
Dr. Ilder Betancourt Lopez is honored with the Education Award for his transformative leadership expanding equity and opportunity for Latine communities across the South Sound and beyond. As Vice President of Learning and Student Success at Pierce College, Dr. Betancourt Lopez has led bold reforms that center Black and Brown excellence in hiring, curriculum, and student support. Born in Los Angeles to Mexican and Salvadoran parents who immigrated in the 1980s, his work is rooted in community care, inclusion, and educational access. Through mentorship, advocacy, and partnerships with organizations like Mi Centro and COLEGAS, he continues to create pathways for students and future leaders to thrive.
Karl Ortiz Award
Fatima Del Carmen Hernandez Perez
Fatima Del Carmen Hernandez Perez is honored with the Karl Ortiz Youth Service Award for her dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and creating spaces of belonging for young people and students across the South Sound. A first-generation college student at University of Washington Tacoma, Fatima serves as a Pack Advisor, Campus Ambassador, and Peer Career Coach, supporting students throughout their college journey. Beyond campus, she mentors middle and high school students through community-based research projects focused on equity and civic engagement. Rooted in joy, cultural pride, and community care, Fatima leads with empathy, authenticity, and a commitment to uplifting others.
Healthcare Award
Yvonne Elmendorf
Yvonne Elmendorf is honored with the Healthcare Award. As Director of Substance Use Disorder, Violence Prevention, and Behavioral Health for Consejo Counseling & Referral Services, Yvonne has dedicated nearly 20 years to expanding culturally grounded mental health and substance use care for Latine and marginalized communities. Beginning her career as a youth counselor supporting gang-involved teens, she now oversees clinics across five counties while remaining deeply connected to community needs. A first-generation master’s graduate, Yvonne leads with compassion, resilience, and a belief in the power of healing, education, and collective care.
Latine Social Justice Award
Marirogel Stiffler
Marirogel Stiffler is honored with the Social Justice Award for her compassionate advocacy and unwavering commitment to immigrant communities. Known lovingly as Mari, she has spent nearly two decades helping individuals and families navigate the immigration system with dignity, care, and hope. Self-taught and deeply dedicated, Mari has guided hundreds of clients through complex legal processes, ensuring support remains accessible to those who cannot afford costly representation. Rooted in her Mexican heritage and belief in breaking barriers, her work is grounded in justice, resilience, and community care. Through her advocacy, Mari continues to transform lives and create lasting generational impact.
Legacy Award
Xiomara and Gigi Urán Bidegain
Xiomara Urán Bidegain and her service dog Gigi are honored with the Legacy Award for their extraordinary commitment to justice, human rights, and compassionate advocacy. As a staff attorney with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Xiomara has spent nearly six years defending and supporting individuals detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by her family’s experience fleeing political persecution in Uruguay and Colombia after her father, Carlos Horacio Urán, was tortured and killed during Colombia’s Palace of Justice tragedy. After years of displacement and resilience, Xiomara pursued law to continue her family’s fight for accountability and human dignity. Alongside Gigi, she brings both legal advocacy and healing presence to immigrant communities, leading with courage, empathy, and an unwavering belief in justice.
Latine Emerging Leader Award
Rafael Saucedo
Rafael Saucedo is honored with the Emerging Leader Award for his commitment to service, inclusion, and Latinx community empowerment across the South Sound. As Philanthropy Program Manager at BECU, Rafael leads community giving initiatives while also serving as co-chair of the organization’s Latinx Employee Resource Group. A proud son of migrant farm workers, his leadership extends through board service, mentorship, and community events including Festival Herencia Latina and Celebrando Comunidad. Through advocacy, collaboration, and a passion for creating space for others to thrive, Rafael continues to strengthen and uplift Latinx communities throughout Washington..
