Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County is proud to present its finalists for 2026 Mentor of the Year representing the High School Bigs program!
These outstanding young leaders illustrate how peer mentoring helps high school students achieve their biggest possible futures while making a long-lasting impact on their mentees and their communities. These six mentors have not only demonstrated transformative dedication to their Littles, they have also been an integral part of the local mentoring movement as champions and advocates for mentorship on their campuses.
Thanks to the support of Angelitos de Oro, each finalist will receive college and career funding to continue their impact; the two winners of the Angelitos Award will be announced on January 29 as part of National Mentoring Month.
Brielle Iglesias, Valencia High School
Brielle turned a childhood marked by instability into a steady, life-changing presence for others. As president of the BBBS Club at Valencia High School, she has recruited Bigs and Littles, presented in classrooms, and even helped match students by remembering details like shared interests in soccer. Her mentoring is deeply personal: she noticed the smallest shifts in her first Little Abby’s mood during a time of bullying and helped her grow into a confident student with strong friendships. Today, she brings the same empathy to her Little Gerardo, whose confidence visibly blossomed the first time Brielle told him he was smart—words no one had ever said to him before.
Nayeli Hernandez, Cypress High School
For three years, Nayeli has shown up with unwavering consistency, choosing to be there for her Little Rosemary every single week—even when it meant giving up water polo, a sport she loved. She has helped Rosemary transform from a shy second grader who avoided conversations into a confident student who now introduces herself to new Bigs and Littles without hesitation. Nayeli mentors from a place of empathy and understanding, having been bullied herself as a middle schooler. She turned that experience into an opportunity to guide her own sister down a different path, and now she also volunteers as a Big at the same school. With perfect attendance and a quiet but powerful presence, Nayeli is a resilient young leader who is an incredible example for other Bigs in the program.
Tram Nguyen, Buena Park High School
Tram’s leadership reshaped what was possible for the High School Bigs program at Buena Park High School and beyond. While maintaining a 4.8 GPA, she recruited over 30 Bigs to help launch new school partnerships and transformed a struggling fundraiser into a boba lemonade stand that funded gifts and experiences for Littles across multiple schools. She transformed the lives of three Littles during her time as a mentor; even while navigating her father’s cancer diagnosis and her family’s loss of healthcare, Tram continued mentoring with consistency and care. Her journey to earning a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania as a first-generation student reflects her resilience rooted in service.
Christian Hernandez, Western High School
Christian H. never let a packed schedule stand in the way of showing up for his Little Brother Ethan, sometimes arriving in full band uniform to make their weekly match. What began as a quiet connection grew into a powerful bond after they discovered a shared love for Minecraft, helping Ethan blossom from reserved to confident and expressive. Christian carried the lessons of mentorship into every part of his life, becoming a stronger student, leader, and brother to his three younger sisters. As BBBS Club President at Western High School, he continues to recruit and inspire others with the same heart that first drew him to mentoring.
Christian Cuatlayotl, Santa Ana Valley High School
Christian C. leads with one of Big Brothers Big Sisters core values: authenticity. He creates spaces where Littles feel safe being themselves because he has done that work himself. Shaped by loss, identity exploration, and compassion, Christian proves that mentorship isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence and trust. In his first match, he supported a Little navigating behavioral and family challenges simply by listening without judgment, which led to real growth recognized by teachers and parents alike. Today, as a mentor to Michael, Christian encourages his Little’s courage and confidence, helping him develop into a football team captain who now lifts others up as well.
Felipe Cabanas, Troy High School
Felipe joined Big Brothers Big Sisters to become the mentor he once needed, drawing from his own experience learning English and finding his place as a young student. Despite balancing track, boxing, long work hours, and helping his father’s construction business, he shows up consistently for his Little Sebastian. Recognizing himself in Sebastian’s quiet demeanor and lack of eye contact, Felipe met him with patience and understanding, allowing trust to grow naturally. Felipe often shares that mentoring Sebastian feels like looking back in time, understanding his own journey and recognizing how far he's come. Last year when Sebastian’s family was experiencing housing instability, Felipe became the steady anchor his Little needed at that time, proving that empathy and shared experiences can help us overcome any of life’s challenges.
