On Friday, January 31, Valencia High School senior Cesar Mora was honored as the recipient of the 2025 High School Bigs Mentors of the Year award, earning a $2,500 Angelitos Award to help support his college and career aspirations. Cesar was selected for this prestigious recognition by The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Orange County and the Inland Empire, where he has made a profound impact as a mentor over the past four years at Topaz Elementary School.
The BBBS organization commended Cesar for his unwavering dedication to his role, stating, “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.”
Beyond his one-on-one mentoring, Cesar has also emerged as a powerful advocate for mentorship. He has successfully recruited over 40 volunteers to join the program and has spoken at school board meetings to champion the life-changing benefits of Big Brothers Big Sisters. His leadership has extended to Valencia High School, where he played a pivotal role in launching the BBBS Club, which has since become one of the program’s most successful chapters. Though he describes himself as reserved, Cesar’s passion for mentorship has inspired others to get involved, and his efforts have brought new visibility and recognition to the organization at the district level.
Having faced his own challenges during his childhood, Cesar credits the High School Bigs program with helping him discover his identity and purpose. His personal journey of overcoming adversity fuels his commitment to creating opportunities for others, especially those who may feel isolated or overlooked, as he once did. Looking ahead, Cesar plans to pursue a degree in education at Columbia University, with the goal of one day becoming a superintendent. His legacy of leadership, compassion, and service will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on future generations. Way to go, Tiger!
Cesar, I was already so proud — there you go taking things to the next level. You are such a wonderful person; I know you will be doing great things in the future!
Congratulations!