Congrats to Teen CEO Alejandra Wells Honored as Young Leader of the Year by MENTOR Nebraska
Congratulations to our Lozafina client Alejandra Wells, the founder of Hiya and a sophomore at Burke High School, who has been named Young Leader of the Year at MENTOR Nebraska’s Excellence in Mentoring Awards. This special recognition was announced during an April 17 ceremony held virtually, which celebrated notable contributors to the mentoring community in Nebraska, including Wells and three other distinguished individuals from the Omaha Metro area.
Alejandra has been recognized for her exceptional involvement in mentoring and her substantial contributions to the community through her leadership at Hiya. Her business, which integrates jewelry retail with mental health advocacy, was born out of her battles with anxiety and depression. Aimed at young individuals aged 8 to 24 who demonstrate outstanding community service and leadership potential, the MENTOR Nebraska award includes a $500 scholarship.
At just 15 years old, Alejandra's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to mental health advocacy are evident in every aspect of Hiya. Each bracelet is designed to remind wearers that they are not alone in their struggles.
Her active involvement in community service also marks Alejandra's journey. She has partnered with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Elevate Omaha, and the Latino Center of the Midlands to host workshops and provide jewelry for young teens in need, continuing her mission of advocacy for mental health awareness among teens.
"Mentoring has been a huge part of my journey as a young entrepreneur and advocate for mental health awareness," Alejandra said. Her participation as a Little Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program showcased the profound impact that mentoring could have on a young person’s life.
Recognizing Other Leaders in Mentoring
The awards also honored several other leaders in the field:
Mentoring Practitioner of the Year: Andrew Alemán (left) has made significant contributions to the mentoring field through his roles with Black and Pink National and Andrew Alemán Consulting.
Mentoring Advocate of the Year: Dr. Marquisha Frost (middle) was recognized for expanding opportunities for young people through The Sanctuary Collective and Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.
Mentor of the Year: La’Ron Jones (right) has dedicated himself to mentoring young people within the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.
Melissa Mayo, Executive Director of MENTOR Nebraska, commented on the impact of the honorees: “The outstanding contributions of this year’s award recipients illustrate the many paths to working to increase our connection to one another, expand opportunities for young people, and unify the mentoring movement. As we celebrate these champions of mentoring, we also invite others to follow their lead in ensuring all young people in Nebraska have the supportive relationships they need to grow and develop into thriving, productive, and engaged adults.”
Upcoming Celebrations
An in-person reception to honor this year's awardees will be held on Wednesday, May 1, from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Benson Theatre in Omaha. The event will include a brief awards presentation at 6:30 p.m., featuring remarks from the recipients.
Alejandra Wells and Hiya continue to inspire and motivate the community, proving that even the youngest leaders can drive meaningful progress in mentoring and mental health advocacy. As Alejandra plans to launch a teen lifestyle magazine to promote inspiring stories of young people in her community, her influence only seems set to expand.