Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire is proud to announce our 2025 Bigs & Littles of the Year and Mentors of the Year. These outstanding individuals, representing three mentoring program models, demonstrate how mentoring relationships help mentees (Littles) achieve their biggest possible futures, while also creating long-lasting impact on the mentors (Bigs).
"This very special annual recognition celebrates the invaluable contributions of the organization’s Bigs and highlights the resiliency of our Littles. These relationships are at the heart of our mission and often have a lifelong impact on both parties. We are honored to be showcasing these individuals in our community who embody what mentorship can mean for a young person, the volunteer and the community in igniting the power and promise of the next generation.”
Every year during National Mentoring Month, BBBS honors these outstanding mentors and matches with a regional title to celebrate extraordinary mentorship, friendship, and advocacy.
Meet our Winners
Community Program
An adult volunteer mentors a child between the ages of 6 and 16. Matches spend quality 1:1 time out in the community twice a month. Click here to volunteer!
Leilannie Olnagan and Aranza
Aranza and her Big, Leilannie, are a match that demonstrates the life-changing power of mentorship. When they first met, Aranza was a shy and reserved young girl, navigating the challenges of bullying and grief after losing her father. But with Leilannie’s unwavering support, Aranza has blossomed into a confident, driven high school senior with big dreams and a bright future.
One of the most touching moments in their match was when Aranza shared how much she missed her father and how it was really impacting her mental health. Leilannie had just lost her mother right before being matched with Aranza, so she was able to share her own journey with grief to help Aranza work through her feelings. She even took her to the diner where her dad had worked. This simple but meaningful act that brought Aranza comfort and strengthened their bond. Beyond these heartfelt gestures, Leilannie has been a consistent source of encouragement, helping Aranza focus on her goals and overcome self-doubt.
Aranza’s achievements today are nothing short of inspiring. She’s pursuing a career in healthcare, attending a nursing assistant program, and gaining hands-on experience during clinicals. One moment she’s particularly proud of was using her Spanish skills to assist a resident during a clinical session—a testament to her growing confidence and capability.
Leilannie’s support extends into every facet of Aranza’s life. From advocating for her Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to creating quiet study spaces, organizing library study sessions, and encouraging her to pursue work experiences, Leilannie has shown Aranza what’s possible with dedication and belief in oneself. These opportunities have helped Aranza build her resume and solidify her passion for helping others.
With Leilannie’s guidance and the support of her family, Aranza has embraced the mantra that no one can limit her potential.
Joohong Lange and Jacob
At just 10 years old, Jacob had to step up to be a caring protector for his younger sister and a support system for his parents, who manage the significant behavioral needs of his older brother. Jacob’s own needs often took a back seat, and he found it hard to enjoy life and keep up with school; but everything changed when he was matched with his Big, Joohong.
For nearly two years now, Joohong has been a steady presence in Jacob’s life, providing encouragement, kindness, and plenty of adventures. From day one, he created a safe space where Jacob could just be a kid—free to dream, explore, and rediscover his self-worth. Through shared outings and heartfelt conversations, Joohong’s vulnerability has built a bond of trust, helping Jacob feel truly seen and valued.
Jacob’s transformation has been remarkable. Once unsure of himself, he now approaches life with confidence and joy, his grades have improved, and he’s built genuine relationships with kids his age.
But Joohong’s impact extends beyond his match with Jacob. He’s become an ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters, encouraging his Disney Resort coworkers to become mentors and actively participating in the “Big Collective”, a peer-led committee that supports other volunteers in the program. Whether organizing events for other matches or advocating for our mission, Joohong’s leadership and enthusiasm inspire others to get involved and do something big.
Jacob and Joohong’s mentorship journey shows how it’s not just about creating memories, but building a foundation for a bright future. They’re proof that one relationship can truly change a life—and a community.
High School Bigs Program
In this program, high school students find their voices as community advocates and leaders serving as role models to elementary school students. During weekly group mentoring sessions, they guide students through activities that support academic achievement and personal growth.
Congratulations to our 2025 High School Bigs Mentors of the Year who will also receive the $2,500 Angelitos Award to help fund their college and career dreams thanks to the support of Angelitos de Oro.
Bethany Vu, Middle College High School
A graduating senior at Middle College High School, Bethany has achieved remarkable academic milestones, including a 4.45 GPA, an Associate of Science in Medical Assisting, a Medical Assistant Certificate, and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. Despite her rigorous school schedule, she has also dedicated four years to mentoring her Little, Cristina, helping her build confidence, overcome bullying, and discover her voice. Cristina, once shy and reserved, is now an empowered leader at her elementary school, following in her Big’s footsteps and serving as president of a leadership board and advocating for her peers.
Bethany’s impact in our program extends beyond her mentoring relationship. As co-president of her school’s BBBS club, she has spearheaded initiatives to recruit and train new mentors, ensuring the program’s success and growth. Thanks to her unwavering commitment, her program site consistently meets its volunteer capacity, amplifying the program’s reach and impact.
Bethany’s dedication to service is rooted in her personal experiences. Growing up in a household impacted by her father’s struggles with addiction and unemployment, she overcame bullying and found her voice through resilience and compassion. These challenges inspired her to become the mentor she once needed, empowering others to stand up for themselves and pursue their dreams. Her journey as a mentor has allowed her to heal, grow, and embrace her role as a leader, turning her struggles into a source of strength and motivation to uplift others.
Beyond mentorship, Bethany has volunteered at community health fairs, providing healthcare access and translation services to underserved populations in Santa Ana. Her passion for helping others drives her aspiration to become a school nurse, where she can advocate for students’ well-being. Bethany’s story exemplifies how mentorship, leadership, and service can transform lives, and her legacy within our High School Bigs program will continue to inspire future generations of young leaders.
Cesar Mora, Valencia High School
Cesar’s impact as a mentor spans four years, during which he has supported two Littles. With his first Little, Cesar guided him through challenges with impulsive behavior, using creative approaches to help him see new perspectives and make better choices. With his current Little, Cesar continues to foster academic achievement and self-awareness, ensuring his mentee develops the skills to thrive. Cesar’s approach to mentorship reflects his belief in mutual growth—learning from his Littles as they learn from him.
Cesar has also become a powerful advocate for mentorship, recruiting over 40 volunteers for the program and speaking at school board meetings to champion the life-changing benefits of Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also helped launch the BBBS Club at Valencia High School, which has become one of the program’s most successful chapters. Despite describing himself as reserved, Cesar’s passion for the program has inspired countless others to join, and his leadership has brought new visibility and recognition to the organization at a district level.
Having faced his own challenges during his childhood, he credits the High School Bigs program with helping him discover his identity and purpose. His desire to create opportunities for others stems from his own experiences of feeling isolated and overlooked. Now, with his sights set on studying education at Columbia University and becoming a superintendent, Cesar is building a legacy of leadership and compassion that will undoubtedly shape the lives of future generations.
Workplace Mentoring Program
Corporate and community partners sponsor mentoring relationships between their employees and young people at local high schools or community colleges. Matches connect during monthly group mentoring sessions to help students develop career goals and prepare for the workforce.
Amy Alcantra, Banc of California
Amy, a corporate mentor in the Workplace Mentoring Program at Banc of California, has earned the well-deserved title of Mentor of the Year for her unwavering commitment and ability to ignite potential in her mentees. Now in her third year in the program, Amy exemplifies what it means to show up, inspire, and empower.
With nearly perfect monthly attendance, Amy’s presence is a constant source of support for her current mentee, Melanie, who moved to Tustin from Honduras four years ago. Melanie shared that improving her English was a personal goal, and Amy has been by her side every step of the way. Whether it’s cheering her on during a nerve-wracking elevator pitch session or encouraging her dreams of a career in the medical field, Amy’s guidance has made a profound impact.
Melanie’s newfound confidence is a testament to Amy’s caring approach. As Melanie herself said, “She is always checking in on me, and whenever I can’t see her, she will text me and ask how I am doing.” Amy’s thoughtful texts and genuine encouragement have helped Melanie feel seen, heard, and capable of achieving her goals.
Beyond her dedication to her mentees, Amy is a true advocate for mentorship and the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, consistently embodying kindness and compassion.
Terry Ehrhard, Ingram Micro
As a two-time participant in the Workplace Mentoring Program at Ingram Micro, Terry has proven to be a steadfast advocate, not only for his mentees’ success, but also for the overall growth of the program at his company.
Ingram mentors are paired with college students, many of whom are aspiring to a career in computer science at a company like Ingram Micro. Terry has gone above and beyond to provide guidance for his mentee, Michael, meeting weekly outside of the monthly sessions. Together, they tackled ambitious goals, from building a project portfolio and refining a resume to preparing for a summer internship. Terry even leveraged his own network to connect Michael with industry professionals, opening doors to new opportunities.
Terry’s impact has extended beyond his mentoring match to the whole cohort of mentees. Volunteering to lead a session on elevator pitches, he shared his expertise with mentees and his peers alike, inspiring others with his thoughtful insights and practical advice. His contributions have helped shape the Workplace Mentoring Program at Ingram into an impactful experience for all involved.
For his dedication to empowering young professionals and championing the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, Terry exemplifies the true spirit of mentorship, making a lasting difference in his mentee’s life and beyond.
