Hispanic Heritage Hall Of Fame
2026 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
Adrian Caravas
Roger “Bo’ Quiroga Leadership of the Year
Adrian Caraves has made significant contributions to the Latino community by advancing representation and leadership across higher education and healthcare. He founded and grew multiple student organizations, including the Latino Student Association at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, earning New Student Organization of the Year and Emerging Leader of the Year in 2025. Through his MHA/MBA program, he completed internships at Houston Methodist, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and UTMB Health. In June, he was appointed by the Governor of Texas as the Student Regent for the University of Houston System, representing 80,000 students and advocating for access, affordability, and opportunity.
Raymond Garivey, Jr.
Dedicated Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Chief Raymond Garivey Jr., Chief of Police for Kemah, Texas, brings more than 34 years of law enforcement experience and a deep commitment to community service. Beginning his career as a patrol officer, he later served as a Gang Task Force and Narcotics Detective and Hostage Negotiator, gaining broad experience in public safety and community relations. A strong advocate of community policing, Chief Garivey has fostered partnerships with residents, schools, and local organizations to build trust and shared responsibility for public safety. He emphasizes crime prevention, youth outreach, and mental health awareness while ensuring officers receive training in de-escalation and cultural competency to better serve a diverse community. His leadership has earned numerous honors, including the 100 Club Officer of the Year, Brazoria County Peace Officer of the Year, Blues Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award, NYPD Hispanic Society Inspiration Award, and the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas Community Builder Award. A devoted family man, Chief Garivey remains committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and thriving community for all residents.
Mario Gonzales
Unsung Hero
Mario Ruben Gonzales, born December 4, 1957, and raised on Galveston Island, grew up active in school and community sports. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School before moving on to Austin Middle School, where he played football and basketball, and later competed in Little League, Pony, and Colt baseball under local coaches who helped shape his love for the game. At Ball High School, he played basketball all four years and later earned a baseball scholarship to Alvin Junior College. A devoted father and grandfather, Mario now enjoys retirement in Galveston. He is especially grateful for a moment when he helped alert firefighters to an apartment fire in his building, believing he was guided to help neighbors escape safely. Today, he continues serving others in simple but meaningful ways, spending his mornings assisting friends at El Nopalito restaurant. Mario reflects on his journey with humility, gratitude, and pride in the life, friendships, and community that continue to surround him.
Mary Longoria
Excellence in Social Services of the Year
Raised in Edinburg, Texas, as the oldest of six children, she learned the value of hard work from her parents, Herminio and Elida, whose sacrifices inspired her commitment to education and service. A Head Start student, she discovered early that learning could open doors, later becoming a first-generation college student at Pan American University, now UTRGV, where she studied biology and met her husband, Abel Longoria. Following his military service and medical training, the family eventually settled in Galveston, where she began teaching science and Spanish, sharing her passion for learning with local students. After raising four children and returning permanently to Galveston, she continued serving the community through education advocacy. She now serves as a Galveston College regent, working to expand access to higher education, and has volunteered for over 13 years as a Citizenship Prep teacher with Ser y Hacer, helping residents achieve U.S. citizenship. Grateful for her family’s support, she remains committed to strengthening opportunities for future generations through education and community service.
Christian Salgado
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Christian Salgado is a first-grade bilingual educator at Burnet Elementary in Galveston ISD, where he has proudly served since 2011. Born in Mexico City and raised in Galveston, he proudly represents both his roots and the community that shaped him, bringing a deep passion for culturally responsive, bilingual education into his classroom. Beyond the classroom, Christian serves as First Grade Team Leader and Chair of the Hospitality Committee, directs a folkloric dance group, serves as a board member of the Galveston Children’s Museum, and has been recognized as a Galveston County Top 40 Under 40 honoree. He is currently completing a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Houston–Clear Lake and is expected to graduate in May 2026. At the heart of his work is a commitment to being a positive, visible leader who inspires students, uplifts colleagues, and represents the Hispanic culture with pride, joy, and a deep sense of purpose.
Mike Varela, Jr.
Exceptional Firefighter of the Year
Fire Chief Mike Varela Jr. began his career with the Galveston Fire Department in 2001. Over the years, he advanced through every rank in the organization before being appointed Fire Chief in September 2024. Varela is a second-generation firefighter and a second-generation Fire Chief. Throughout his career, Chief Varela has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Services Administration and holds a Master Certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He has received multiple commendation bars, life safety awards, and numerous state certifications in recognition of his dedication and service. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve and protect the community I grew up in.”
