For nearly 20 years, Tamayo has made it his mission to make a better future for Tampa Bay youth through education. Tamayo, a Cuban immigrant, learned at an early age that through hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve your goals and dreams. He applied his philosophy and set thousands of local youth on a path for success when he became the founding head at Academy Prep Center of Tampa, a non-profit middle school serving low-income students.
The grant tonight will benefit a scholarship fund to assist all three Academy Prep campuses with materials, activities and sporting equipment. Tamayo has been a dedicated and compassionate leader, role model and advocate for the Academy's students and families, serving as a key to unlocking tomorrow's potential.
Tamayo becomes the 452nd Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $23.7 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
