Big ups to Bayshore High’s BTV News team that swept the News Show category at the Film Rush Manatee 2026 Video Awards, taking first, second and third out of four high schools in the competition.
With Kaila Beraud as executive producer-editor and anchors Christian Santamauro and Gizzelle Ramirez, BHS News moves on to regionals, the next step to the Jim Harbin State Film Festival.
BTV News Adviser Dan Russo’s team also includes Moses Agustin, Melany Figueredo Dupotey, Christopher Lopez, Edwin Lopez-Zavala, Cordell McNeil, Wilson Nonnombre, Dave Pierre, Alexander Pineda, Kendry Rodriguez, Yanelly Santana, Walter Smith and Tony Webb.
· Speaking of Bayshore, much respect to 1988 alum Ricky Gullett. The two-time FHSAA state champion was just inducted into the 2026 Florida Wrestling Hall of Fame. Gullett went a staggering 129-4 with the Bruins, winning state at 157 and 171 pounds. The multiple Junior Nationals All-America also wrestled at Oklahoma.
· Say it ain’t so! John Karl hit the Big 6-0!
· Don Keller is 64.
· And John Horne is 65.
· A bow to Blake Hospital Volunteer of the Year Bobbi Richman and Teen Volunteer of the Year Isabella Ferreira. Richman, with 3,000-plus hours, and Ferreira, with 400-plus hours over two years, were among honorees at Blake’s annual Volunteer Awards Banquet.
Other milestone service awardees were Roger Hattem (3,000 hours) and Kathy Oswald (3,000); Craig Dunston (2,000); as well as Suzanne Gaugler (1,000) and John Tesauro (1,000).
· Lincoln Middle registrar Donnalyn Drake is the Striving Trojan Awardee.
· Belated props to the Manatee Community College 1968 and 1972 baseball teams, inductees into the 2026 State College of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame. Both were conference and state champions and JUCO World Series runners-up.
The ’68 team included Ron Cash, Richard Chard, Mark Choquette, Robin Flake, Ashby Frayser, Len Fuller, Bill Garst, John Grubb, Mike Magness, John Miler, Dave Moates, Jimmy Pattee, Wayne Perry, Howard Roberts, Mac Scarce, Mike Scarce, Harry Saferight, Jimmy Smith and Whitey Whiten.
The ’72 team included Wayne Beasley, George Bender, Douglas Daniel, David Dias, Charles Fowke, Benjamin Gingerich, Wade Heppert, Velton Hodges, David Lampley, Richard Langford, Rand McNeal, Thomas Mercer, John O’Connor, Mark Saber, Keith Smith, Robert Smith Jr., Richard Tomlin, Daniel Tripp and Ernest Vincent.
Other inductees were pitcher-outfielder John Librandi (1969-71) and longtime baseball supporters Carol and Carl Friedman.
· Hail to the new Hernando DeSoto Historical Society’s 2026 Royal Family: Hern Christopher Welles, Queen Faith Geluso, Princess Grace Tripp and Captain Dave Clark.
· Good luck to Lakewood Ranch High’s recent college commits: Olivia Henderson, Millennia Atlantic University (softball); Aubrey Mau, New College (soccer); Rheanne Fleming, Pfeiffer University (soccer); Tomas Alvarez, Chowan University (soccer); Gabe Lara, Alma College (soccer); Benjamin Perrupato, Gardner-Webb University (soccer); Kuwain Claxton, Mars Hill University (baseball); Evan Kuell, Lake Sumter State (baseball); and Kyle Goodwin, Lynn University (swimming).
· And Ranch pitcher-first baseman Isabella Toscano is Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 16-6A Player of the Year.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN’S PEOPLE: Bayshore High’s BTV News team sweeps awards
Reporting by Vin Mannix, Special to the Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
