Zeidi Vellos Named Oceana Belize National Wavemaker of the Year

Zeidi Vellos has been named Oceana in Belize’s 2026 National Wavemaker of the Year for her work in conservation and community service in Corozal. Vellos received the organisation’s top Wavemaker award at its Annual General Meeting on Saturday at St. Catherine’s Academy Mercy Center in Belize City.  An active Wavemaker since 2022, Vellos has helped organise workshops, presentations, summer camps, and Earth Day and Earth Hour activities. She has also encouraged other young people to get involved in serving their communities.  Ryan Rivera, Oceana Belize’s Outreach Manager, spoke on the annual awards.

More than three hundred Wavemakers, allies and partners attended the meeting, where Oceana also recognised one outstanding volunteer from each district.  The district awards went to Leslie Rodriguez for Corozal, Joesie Castillo for Orange Walk, Monique Garbutt for Belize, Ranai Gonzales for Cayo, Cianna Garbutt for Stann Creek and Ymanoli Garcia for Toledo.  According to Rivera, the awards recognise their efforts to support marine conservation and improve life in their communities.

Community Health Workers from Southern Belize received the Partner of the Year award for their collaboration with Oceana in promoting stronger and more resilient communities.

Oceana says its Wavemakers belong to a global network of more than one million people working to protect the world’s oceans.