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The fourth annual Dig Like Kim Volleyball Tournament took place at Palmetto Bay’s Coral Reef Park on Sunday, May 5. The competition took place at the Kimberly Latshaw-Ortiz Volleyball Courts (named in memory of Kim) near the front of the park, under hot but ideal weather conditions with a large crowd in attendance
Halfway through the tournament the playing paused so that the 2024 grants of $1,000 could be presented to 16 deserving high school students. Presenting the grants were Kimberley’s father, Chuck Latshaw; her mother, Donna Latshaw; Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham; Village Councilmember Steve Cody, and Bobby Bracy of the District 8 County Commissioner’s office.
The tournament was created in honor of Kimberly Latshaw-Ortiz, Palmetto Bay resident and an avid athlete, sports teacher and coach, who passed away on Jan. 30, 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Both the tournament and the scholarship grants are for the purpose of keeping the memory alive of a determined and enthusiastic young woman and to continue her efforts to help others. The grant recipients were chosen on the basis of their athletic ability, academic achievement and community service.
This year’s grants went to:
Dilian Alvarez, junior at Felix Varela Senior High;
Angelina Barrios, junior at Terra Environmental Research Institute;
Harry Cossyphas, freshman at MAST Academy;
Roberto Gonzalez, a sophomore at Palmetto Senior High;
Brianna Lopez, junior at Barbara Goleman Senior High;
Andrew Pardo-Pagan, sophomore at Southwest Miami Senior High;
Diego Requena, sophomore at Ronald Regan Doral Senior High;
Gabriella Zeledon, sophomore at MAST -Homestead;
Parker Zuccarini, sophomore at Coral Gables Senior High;
Allison Pedroso, sophomore at Coral Reef Senior High;
Joseph Gonzalez, junior at Miami Senior High;
Arianda Sands, junior at Everglades Preparatory;
Zachary Webb, sophomore at Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High;
Sophie Galvez, sophomore at Coral Reef Senior High;
William Hardie, sophomore at Coral Gables Senior High, and
Gabriella Giovane, sophomore at True North Classical Academy.
Five days later after the event there was additional good news from Chuck Latshaw.
“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors we were able to give an additional three student athletes $1,000 each in Ggant money.”
Those students are:
Joshua Estevez, Coral Gables Senior High School;
Carlos Fernandez, Ferguson Senior High School, and
Giuliana Guerrero, True North Academy.
At the beginning of the ceremony Chuck Latshaw said that he thought his daughter would be the last person to want anything named for her, but he felt that she would be pleased to know that her efforts to help student athletes was continuing. He also asked that anyone who knew Kim and could speak about her as a person to raise their hand. Many did.
“Anyone who knew Kim knew why this tournament is so special,” said Aurora Herrera. “I was honored to know her. She was a great mentor. She accepted no BS.”
Bobby Bracy of the District 8 County Commissioner’s office said that he knew only too well what it means to “Dig Like Kim.”
“In volleyball, it’s very specific,” Bracy said. “The term ‘dig’ is a highly physical and demanding defensive move. Anyone who has had to fight for their life or for the life of someone they love knows what it means to ‘dig’.”
Zachary Webb, one of the student athletes awarded a grant this year, explained what it meant to him.
“It helps a lot,” Webb said. “I wasn’t able to afford it this season but this is really going to help out with the flying and traveling a lot.”
It was announced that applications for the next tournament open in January 2025. For information visit https://diglikekim.org/.
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