Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston recently celebrated the Class of 2026 during its annual BIG Graduation Celebration, presented by ExxonMobil. The event welcomed more than 100 attendees, including 58 high school graduates, their mentors (Bigs), and family members, for an evening recognizing academic achievement, perseverance, and future success. Guests also heard from keynote speaker Jose Lopez, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star’s 2025 Big Brother of the Year, who shared his mentorship journey and encouraged students as they prepare for their next chapter.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston awarded more than $20,500 in scholarships to graduates and Big Futures students, helping remove financial barriers and create pathways to college success.
The Class of 2026 represents students participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston’s mentoring programs, including traditional one-to-one mentoring relationships that pair youth with a trusted adult mentor, as well as High School Bigs. In the High School Bigs program, high school students serve as mentors to younger students while developing leadership, communication, and mentorship skills of their own.
This year, 186 high school seniors participated in these programs. The 58 graduates recognized at BIG Graduation represent nearly one-third of all youth engaged in Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston’s high school mentoring initiatives. While the organization serves more than 2,000 youth annually across Greater Houston, BIG Graduation highlights a significant milestone for young people preparing to pursue college, careers, military service, and other post-secondary opportunities.
