People
Winner: Tim Duncan
There’s no denying No. 21’s unparalleled impact on the San Antonio Spurs’ winning culture. During his 19-year reign, Tim Duncan led the Spurs to five NBA championships, earned two NBA MVP awards and was named NBA Finals MVP three times. His quiet dominance on both ends of the court set the standard for NBA excellence. Duncan redefined his position as power forward in one of the most successful eras in NBA history. Beyond the stats, he embodied the meaning of teamwork and professionalism, making him the face and heart of our beloved basketball franchise.
2. David Robinson
3. Manu Ginobili
There’s no denying No. 21’s unparalleled impact on the San Antonio Spurs’ winning culture. During his 19-year reign, Tim Duncan led the Spurs to five NBA championships, earned two NBA MVP awards and was named NBA Finals MVP three times. His quiet dominance on both ends of the court set the standard for NBA excellence. Duncan redefined his position as power forward in one of the most successful eras in NBA history. Beyond the stats, he embodied the meaning of teamwork and professionalism, making him the face and heart of our beloved basketball franchise.
2. David Robinson
3. Manu Ginobili
Winner: Ana Sofia Sada, Culinary Institute of America
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2102
(210) 554-6400
ciachef.edu
2. Geronimo Lopez, Hotel Emma/Supper
136 E. Grayson St.
(210) 448-8300
thehotelemma.com
3. Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy
111 Kings Court
(726) 229-7301
cullumsattaboy.com
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2102
(210) 554-6400
ciachef.edu
2. Geronimo Lopez, Hotel Emma/Supper
136 E. Grayson St.
(210) 448-8300
thehotelemma.com
3. Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy
111 Kings Court
(726) 229-7301
cullumsattaboy.com
Winner: Kristi Waters
instagram.com/thekristiwaters
Since arriving in San Antonio a decade ago, former Corpus Christi schoolteacher Kristi Waters has earned accolades and titles spanning from Grand Marshal of the inaugural Pride River Parade to Countess of the River Walk. She’s also won Best Drag Performer in the Current’s annual poll for six years and counting. One of the hardest-working queens on the San Antonio scene, Waters has created one-woman comedy shows and acted in campy Golden Girls spoofs while multitasking as an unsinkable performer, entertainment director and DJ. When Waters announced she’d be dipping out of the spotlight to undergo cancer treatment this summer, the outpouring of love and support was nothing short of inspiring. Evidenced by her devoted fanbase, Waters isn’t just a key member of our LGBTQ+ scene, she’s the hot-pink glitter glue holding it together. Now that the wigs have come off as she tackles chemotherapy and radiation, Waters has been documenting her cancer journey in soul-bearing Instagram posts punctuated with the hashtags #KristiWatersStrong and #CancerCanSuckIt. Among the hundreds of supportive comments have been shoutouts from RuPaul’s Drag Race stars including Kimora Blac, Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté and Brooke Lynn Hytes — the latter of whom shared our very sentiments: “You got this!!!”
2. Valenteno Capri
instagram.com/kingvalentenocapri
3. Maria G
instagram.com/respar5
instagram.com/thekristiwaters
Since arriving in San Antonio a decade ago, former Corpus Christi schoolteacher Kristi Waters has earned accolades and titles spanning from Grand Marshal of the inaugural Pride River Parade to Countess of the River Walk. She’s also won Best Drag Performer in the Current’s annual poll for six years and counting. One of the hardest-working queens on the San Antonio scene, Waters has created one-woman comedy shows and acted in campy Golden Girls spoofs while multitasking as an unsinkable performer, entertainment director and DJ. When Waters announced she’d be dipping out of the spotlight to undergo cancer treatment this summer, the outpouring of love and support was nothing short of inspiring. Evidenced by her devoted fanbase, Waters isn’t just a key member of our LGBTQ+ scene, she’s the hot-pink glitter glue holding it together. Now that the wigs have come off as she tackles chemotherapy and radiation, Waters has been documenting her cancer journey in soul-bearing Instagram posts punctuated with the hashtags #KristiWatersStrong and #CancerCanSuckIt. Among the hundreds of supportive comments have been shoutouts from RuPaul’s Drag Race stars including Kimora Blac, Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté and Brooke Lynn Hytes — the latter of whom shared our very sentiments: “You got this!!!”
2. Valenteno Capri
instagram.com/kingvalentenocapri
3. Maria G
instagram.com/respar5
Winner: S.A. Foodie
instagram.com/s.a.foodie
With so many people on the brink of mass layoffs, it’s fascinating to know that younger generations are using the power of social media to manifest their dream jobs. Take this year’s Best Instagram Influencer, Amanda Spencer. As S.A. Foodie, the industrious Spencer parlayed an interest in photography into a full lifestyle brand. With just around 2,000 posts, her followers are inching up to 600,000, thanks to clever cross-platform marketing, event promotions and an enviable knack for finding perfect branding partners. S.A. Foodie’s future looks bright and shiny as its online profile.
2. David Elder
instagram.com/eldereats
3. SA Texas Foodies
instagram.com/satexasfoodies
instagram.com/s.a.foodie
With so many people on the brink of mass layoffs, it’s fascinating to know that younger generations are using the power of social media to manifest their dream jobs. Take this year’s Best Instagram Influencer, Amanda Spencer. As S.A. Foodie, the industrious Spencer parlayed an interest in photography into a full lifestyle brand. With just around 2,000 posts, her followers are inching up to 600,000, thanks to clever cross-platform marketing, event promotions and an enviable knack for finding perfect branding partners. S.A. Foodie’s future looks bright and shiny as its online profile.
2. David Elder
instagram.com/eldereats
3. SA Texas Foodies
instagram.com/satexasfoodies
Winner: Hunsen Abequeer
instagram.com/hunsen_abequeer
2. Austin Alegría
instagram.com/alegria1987_
3. Gabriela Garcia Congrains
congrainsdesign.com
instagram.com/hunsen_abequeer
2. Austin Alegría
instagram.com/alegria1987_
3. Gabriela Garcia Congrains
congrainsdesign.com
Winner: Live On Air With Rita, KLMO-FM
instagram.com/ritamariehernandez
Tie:
2. The Sauce with Hot Mustard, KSYM-FM
instagram.com/djhotmustard
2. The Urban Suite, KSYM-FM
instagram.com/urbansuitesa
3. The Runout Groove, KRTU-FM
instagram.com/__therunoutgroove__/
instagram.com/ritamariehernandez
Tie:
2. The Sauce with Hot Mustard, KSYM-FM
instagram.com/djhotmustard
2. The Urban Suite, KSYM-FM
instagram.com/urbansuitesa
3. The Runout Groove, KRTU-FM
instagram.com/__therunoutgroove__/
Winner: Bill Taylor, KENS-TV
kens5.com
KENS 5 meteorologist Bill Taylor has landed at the top of this BOSA category for the sixth time in the past seven years. The Emmy-winning meteorologist started his career at the NBC affiliate in Lake Charles, Louisiana, before he made it to KENS 5, where he’s expected to celebrate his 30th anniversary next year. Taylor grew up in New Jersey and is a big New York Giants fan, but we won’t hold that against him. As long as he continues to provide San Antonio residents with accurate forecasts, an approachable manner and an engaging sense of humor, it’s obvious Current readers are Team Taylor through and through.
2. Adam Caskey, KSAT-TV
ksat.com
3. Jeannette Calle, WOAI-TV
news4sanantonio.com
kens5.com
KENS 5 meteorologist Bill Taylor has landed at the top of this BOSA category for the sixth time in the past seven years. The Emmy-winning meteorologist started his career at the NBC affiliate in Lake Charles, Louisiana, before he made it to KENS 5, where he’s expected to celebrate his 30th anniversary next year. Taylor grew up in New Jersey and is a big New York Giants fan, but we won’t hold that against him. As long as he continues to provide San Antonio residents with accurate forecasts, an approachable manner and an engaging sense of humor, it’s obvious Current readers are Team Taylor through and through.
2. Adam Caskey, KSAT-TV
ksat.com
3. Jeannette Calle, WOAI-TV
news4sanantonio.com
Winner: Isis Romero, KENS-TV
kens5.com
KENS 5’s Isis Romero has taken top honors in the Best News Anchor category for four consecutive years. The streak coincided with the South Texas native’s 2022 jump to the station after being fired from KSAT, the station where she worked for 11 years. That departure came as a shock to many, especially since it came after Romero helped lead an audit that showed a lack of Latinos in San Antonio newsrooms. “Ultimately, it wasn’t my decision, and I have to respect that,” Romero told the Express-News last year. “I’m so grateful [to] now find myself at KENS 5 and be able to continue my career. My approach has been to try to move forward in a positive way.” Clearly, Current readers respect that positivity along with Romero’s professionalism and ease in front of the camera.
2. Steve Spriester, KSAT-TV
ksat.com
3. Henry Ramos, KENS-TV
kens5.com
kens5.com
KENS 5’s Isis Romero has taken top honors in the Best News Anchor category for four consecutive years. The streak coincided with the South Texas native’s 2022 jump to the station after being fired from KSAT, the station where she worked for 11 years. That departure came as a shock to many, especially since it came after Romero helped lead an audit that showed a lack of Latinos in San Antonio newsrooms. “Ultimately, it wasn’t my decision, and I have to respect that,” Romero told the Express-News last year. “I’m so grateful [to] now find myself at KENS 5 and be able to continue my career. My approach has been to try to move forward in a positive way.” Clearly, Current readers respect that positivity along with Romero’s professionalism and ease in front of the camera.
2. Steve Spriester, KSAT-TV
ksat.com
3. Henry Ramos, KENS-TV
kens5.com
Winner: For the Love of Dogs Pet Boutique & Grooming
2815 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 111
(210) 265-3611
fortheloveofdogstx.com
2. Fine Whines and Lickers Dog Bar & Spa
300 W. Bitters Road #160
(210) 245-0519
fwldogbar.com
3. Erta’s Pet Grooming
16915 Blanco Road
(210) 236-5179
groomer.io/request/ertas
2815 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 111
(210) 265-3611
fortheloveofdogstx.com
2. Fine Whines and Lickers Dog Bar & Spa
300 W. Bitters Road #160
(210) 245-0519
fwldogbar.com
3. Erta’s Pet Grooming
16915 Blanco Road
(210) 236-5179
groomer.io/request/ertas
