ALEJANDRA WELLS

Alejandra Wells is the founder of Hiya, an online jewelry boutique that promotes mental health among teens. As a sophomore at Burke High School, she started Hiya by selling homemade bracelets, a coping mechanism she developed after her personal struggles with anxiety and depression. Her business took a more profound direction after the suicide of a close friend, motivating her to help others in need.

Hiya operates under a "Buy One, Give One" model, where for each bracelet sold, one is given to a teen in need of encouragement. The business has grown into a broader mental health awareness campaign, including the "Check on your people" initiative, which involves distributing bracelets and educating on mental health through partnerships with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Latino Center of the Midlands. Alejandra also launched "Hiya The Magazine" to further spread mental health awareness among teens. The name "Hiya" comes from her childhood nickname.