WYA leaders take the next step

WYA members celebrate their impact and reflect on their journey

As the 2024–2025 school year wrapped up, The L.A. Trust proudly celebrated the graduation of our incredible Wellness Youth Advocates (WYA), students who served as peer leaders and passionate health champions throughout their high school journey. Among them were Yolanie Cuevas from Belmont High School, Jesse Herrera from Santee High School, and Christine De La Cruz from Carson High School, three standout seniors who reflected on their WYA experiences and shared what lies ahead.

Yolanie Cuevas: Carrying the dream forward

Yolanie graduated from Belmont High School and will be attending Stanford University this fall, the first in her family to pursue higher education. “I’m both nervous and excited to discover a world I’ve never known,” she said. “Growing up, I witnessed what life can look like without a college degree. Every sacrifice my mom made has led to this moment. Her dream became my purpose.”

Yolanie Cuevas with LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Dr. George McKenna

At Belmont, WYA offered Yolanie an outlet to lead and engage in meaningful advocacy. “At a school where there’s no pride, barely any clubs, and limited education around teen health, WYA was my way to get involved and make a difference,” she explained. From organizing tabling events to leading activities during Kindness Week, she found purpose in creating small but impactful moments of connection with her peers.

One memory she’ll carry with her was watching students step out of their comfort zones during a kindness activity. “It wasn’t just participation, it was courage,” she said. “Even small actions can spark real change.”

Yolanie, who dreams of becoming a congresswoman, hopes to continue advocating for health equity and reform. “I want to go beyond raising awareness. I want to be part of the solution,” she shared. She also credited her adult ally, Esther Yepez, for modeling compassionate leadership. “Her constant support reminded me that kindness and leadership go hand in hand.”

Jesse Herrera: From robots to resilience

Jesse Herrera

Jesse, now a graduate of Santee High School, is headed to California State University, Los Angeles, where he will major in computer science. With a lifelong fascination with robotics, Jesse hopes to one day contribute to innovations that shape the future. “Robots are the future, and I want to be part of that,” he said.

His time as a WYA also played a key role in shaping his growth and confidence. “WYA helped me be more out there and meet new people,” Jesse said. “I learned more about my mind and body than I ever did in class.”

He especially enjoyed field trips, like those to Trade Tech, where he met students from other schools and explored career possibilities. Reflecting on his time with WYA, Jesse acknowledged his early hesitation to speak up during meetings and wished he had stepped out of his shell sooner. “I regret all the times I stayed quiet,” he admitted. “But I’ve learned from it.”

Looking ahead, Jesse also hopes to support his local church by helping expand its presence on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. “My church is small but so caring. I just want what’s best for them.”

Christine De La Cruz: Leading with heart from Carson High

Christine, a graduate of Carson High School, is preparing to attend El Camino College to study pre-nursing, with plans to become a registered nurse. She also hopes to find a job that complements her career goals. “I want to be able to take care of my family and provide for my parents so they don’t have to work anymore,” she shared. “Helping others, whether physically or emotionally, is something I love.”

Christine De La Cruz

WYA became a safe space for Christine in a school environment where conversations about wellness were often dismissed. “Many students think it’s cringe or weird to talk about mental health, or they just don’t know much about it. But WYA changed that for me,” she said. “It helped me be more considerate and focus on the good. It shaped how I treat myself and others.”

With the support of her group and adult ally, Christine found community and a deeper understanding of topics like mental health and substance abuse. “I’ve become more patient, more understanding. It’s made me want to do more for my community,” she reflected. “WYA opened my world, from meetings and field trips to connecting with students from other schools. I’ll always be grateful for it.”

Christine dreams of a future filled with joy and purpose. “My hope is to just be happy, have kids one day, and give them a beautiful life,” she said. “I want to continue caring for others, starting with my family and extending to anyone who needs support.”

As they step into this next chapter, Yolanie, Jesse, and Christine leave behind a legacy of leadership, empathy, and advocacy. Their contributions to WYA and their school communities have made a lasting impact, and we can’t wait to see what they do next. Their voices may no longer echo through high school hallways, but their passion for wellness and change will continue to shape the future.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Wellness Youth Advocates; we’re proud of you!