Los Angeles Student Honored at Step Up Gala

High school senior Natalia Benitez received the 2026 Step Up Teen Honoree award for her mentorship work in Los Angeles.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Teens

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stylized glowing torch and ribbon, symbolizing youth mentorship and community leadership in a warm, graphic register. — High school senior Natalia Benitez was honored as the 2026 Step Up Teen Honoree in Los Angeles for her impactful mentorship advocacy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe mentorship programs are essential for helping young people find their career path?

In 2026, high school senior Natalia Benitez was recognized as the official Step Up Teen Honoree at an event held in Los Angeles. The gala celebrated her efforts as a student ambassador for the organization, which provides mentorship programs for girls and young women.

Why it matters

Benitez earned the recognition for her proactive efforts to increase program membership after identifying a lack of awareness about youth resources at her school. She successfully recruited participants alongside a peer by creating promotional materials and engaging with classmates directly.

The Inspiration Awards event successfully raised $800,000 to support mentorship initiatives for girls and young women. The honoree, Natalia Benitez, is a 17-year-old student who utilized digital tools and classroom outreach to expand local program access.

The players

Natalia Benitez

She is a high school senior and student ambassador who plans to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist while working with UNICEF.

Step Up

This organization focuses on providing mentorship and professional resources for girls and young women to help them reach their potential.

Demi Moore

She is a prominent actress and producer who attended the Inspiration Awards to support the organization.

Becky G

She is a well-known singer, songwriter, and actress who participated in the Inspiration Awards event.

Ali Larter

She is an actress known for her roles in film and television who was present at the Inspiration Awards gala.

The details

Benitez prepared for her public speech at the event with guidance from her mentor, Myra. Celebrities including Demi Moore, Becky G, and Ali Larter were in attendance at the ceremony to celebrate the program's impact.

Natalia Benitez received her honoree award in 2026.

Culture Shift

This recognition reflects a broader trend of empowering youth ambassadors to drive organizational growth within the Step Up mentorship model. By prioritizing peer-led recruitment, the organization shifts away from traditional top-down outreach toward student-driven community building.

Local students interested in mentorship resources can look to ambassador-led programs for opportunities to gain guidance and professional support. Families may see increased recruitment efforts in local schools as students leverage similar outreach strategies used by honorees.

The takeaway

Empowering students to take an active role in recruiting peers can significantly increase the visibility of community resources. Mentorship programs often rely on these student-led initiatives to bridge the gap between institutional offerings and the teenagers who need them most.