LA Student Honored for Youth Mentorship Work
A local high school senior earns recognition for expanding access to mentorship resources for her peers.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Teens
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Los Angeles high school senior Natalia Benitez was named the 2026 Step Up Teen Honoree for her commitment to expanding youth mentorship in her community. The recognition came during the annual Inspiration Awards, which raised $800,000 to support programs for girls and young women.
Why it matters
Benitez earned the award for her proactive efforts to increase program membership by recruiting peers in her school, addressing a local gap in youth resource awareness. Her work highlights the tangible impact student ambassadors can have on improving access to mentorship and personal development tools.
The Inspiration Awards raised $800,000 for mentorship, an annual event that supports the organization's regional operations. The exact reach of the student-led recruitment strategy initiated by Benitez remains under investigation.
The players
Natalia Benitez
A high school senior and student ambassador who promotes mentorship programs for girls.
Demi Moore
An actress and advocate who attended the Inspiration Awards to support youth mentorship.
Becky G
A singer and actress who attended the event to support the Step Up organization.
Ali Larter
An actress who participated in the Inspiration Awards, which fund professional mentorship for young women.
The details
Benitez collaborated with a peer to drive program engagement by designing promotional materials on Canva and visiting classrooms to present mentorship opportunities to fellow students. To prepare for her public speech at the Inspiration Awards, she worked closely with her mentor, Myra, to develop her communication skills. Benitez plans to leverage this experience as she transitions toward college, where she intends to study speech-language pathology with an eye toward future work with UNICEF.
Timeline
Natalia Benitez received the 2026 Step Up Teen Honoree award.
Health Landscape
Mentorship programs are increasingly recognized as vital components of adolescent well-being and social development. This event reflects the broader mission of the Step Up mentorship network to facilitate pathways to professional and personal growth for young women.
Mentorship is linked to improved social-emotional development and academic confidence in teenagers. Families interested in similar programs should talk to school counselors about local resources that support student-led development and professional pathways.
The takeaway
Empowering students to take active roles in their school communities can bridge gaps in resource access. Parents and students interested in mentorship can explore building these connections through local school ambassadors or existing youth advocacy organizations.
Further reading
Learn more about local youth engagement in our Teens section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by People.
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