FONTANA, CA – Jurupa Hills High School senior Karla Louisa dedicates every Tuesday to inspiring the next generation, sharing her passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while playing games and building a meaningful bond with her fourth-grade “Little,” Yasmin, as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program.

BBBS of the Inland Empire named Louisa one of its two 2025 Mentors of the Year from its High School Bigs Program for her extraordinary mentorship, friendship, and advocacy. Each year during National Mentoring Month, BBBS honors two outstanding mentors with a regional title, which comes with a $2,500 College & Career Award to help fund their post-graduation dreams.

The High School Bigs Program is a one-to-one mentoring initiative that pairs high school mentors with elementary school students, fostering personal growth, advocacy, and academic success. Through engaging activities, mentors help young students strengthen their social skills, build self-awareness, and develop a passion for learning.

“Yasmin is really interested in math, and I absolutely love science, so I enjoy bonding with her over that,” said Louisa of her mentee, who attends Citrus Elementary School. “Being a ‘Big Sister’ has helped me grow as a leader, build confidence, and learn to advocate for myself and others. Winning this award means so much to me because I’ve had incredible mentors in my own life who have guided me to this point.”

Louisa immigrated to the United States from Antigua and Barbuda at a young age, facing the challenge of learning a new language. This barrier made early education difficult, but the teachers in her school’s English Language Development (ELD) program became her mentors, helping to guide and support Louisa through the transition.

Beyond the classroom, Louisa said she draws inspiration from her family – her parents, who model the values she strives to embody; her sister, who supports her in every aspect of life; and her brother, who shares a bond with her through sports.

While at Jurupa Hills, Louisa has been involved in numerous clubs including Key Club, the California Scholarship Federation, Feminist Club, and Asian Pacific Islander Club. She also founded her own STEM-focused club called Cal-Sci, a place for students to gather and discuss different STEM topics and potential careers.

“There were times in my life when I didn’t think I was capable of STEM because of my background,” Louisa said. “I wanted to start this club so that I could encourage and inspire others like me, who may be first-generation or low-income students, to continue pursuing their dreams. I bring the same mindset to every interaction with my ‘Little.’”

Earlier this school year, Louisa earned the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match scholarship, worth more than $325,000 over four years, for her outstanding academic achievements. She will be attending Columbia University’s Barnard College in the fall, where she plans to major in cellular and molecular biology with a minor in Middle Eastern studies. Louisa said she hopes to be a professor in biology, where she will continue mentoring by conducting research alongside high school students in a lab setting.

“Karla embodies the spirit of mentorship, resilience, and academic excellence that we strive to cultivate in each of our students,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Her dedication to inspiring young minds through STEM education and her commitment to service are truly remarkable. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and excited to see the impact she will continue to make in the world.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_MENTOR1: Jurupa Hills High School senior Karla Louisa shares her passion for STEM while playing games and building a meaningful bond with her fourth-grade “Little,” Yasmin, as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Her commitment and mentorship have earned her the prestigious title of 2025 High School Bigs Mentor of the Year from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Inland Empire. (Photo credit: Photo by Roy Hernandez for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire)

FUSD_MENTOR2: Karla Louisa, a senior at Jurupa Hills High School, has been named the 2025 High School Bigs Mentor of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters Inland Empire. She will attend Barnard College as a QuestBridge scholar in the fall.