Interns Meet Mayor John Ewing in Candid Conversation on Leadership, Mental Health, and Showing Up for Community
In celebration of National Intern Day — recognized on the last Thursday in July — interns from Lozafina and Hiya were granted a rare and resonant experience: a face-to-face meeting with Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. inside City Hall’s Cabinet Room.
Held at the Omaha-Douglas County Civic Center, the July 31 meeting brought together a cohort of emerging youth leaders and one of the city’s most influential public figures, not for a formality, but for something far more personal.
Mayor Ewing greeted the group with warmth and intention, immediately creating an atmosphere that blurred the lines between leadership and mentorship. “It felt more like visiting a favorite uncle than a politician,” one intern reflected.
Throughout the hour-long dialogue, topics ranged from teen mental health and suicide prevention to community trust, resilience, and public service. The Mayor didn’t just speak — he listened. Interns shared deeply personal stories, posed difficult questions, and offered insights from their lived experience. In turn, Ewing opened up about his mental health practices and the gravity of public leadership in today’s divided times.
“This wasn’t just about Hiya or Lozafina,” said Alejandra Wells, 17-year-old CEO of Hiya. “It was about what it looks like when young people are taken seriously. When we’re given the mic and someone powerful says, ‘I hear you.’”
One symbolic moment left a lasting impression: a bold poster hanging in the Mayor’s office reading, “Check on Your People.” The phrase — part of Hiya’s signature mental health campaign — mirrors the heartbeat of the brand: to empower teens to support one another through life’s toughest moments.
Seeing it displayed in the Mayor’s office was validation, Wells said.
To honor his visible support for youth mental wellness, Wells presented Mayor Ewing with the Hiya Champion Award. The plaque read:
Hiya Champion Award
Presented to Mayor John Ewing
In recognition of your unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, mental wellness, and creating a brighter future for the next generation. Your leadership and compassion make you a true champion of change.
The event, coordinated with precision thanks to Lozafina’s Intern Cohort 7, was a masterclass in community storytelling and intentional engagement. Each intern stepped into their role with purpose: from videography and storytelling to timekeeping and coordination. And each walked away with a deeper sense of what real leadership — and active listening — looks like.
Special thanks to Mayor’s team, including Erin Grace and Keith Station, for making the time, space, and emotional presence to connect with our young leaders.
For more reflections and behind-the-scenes footage from the day, visit GoShopHiya.com this week.
