TeamMates of the Month: Albert and Sevastian

October 3, 2025

Starting in 2011, Albert Sparks was matched with his first of five TeamMates mentees over the next 13 years and counting. He currently mentors Sevastian at Southeast High School. 

The school facilitator at Southeast has watched Albert’s friendship with Sevastian bloom.

“When Albert comes through the door, Sevastian lights up.”

Albert knows firsthand how much it matters to have someone you can relate to in your corner. He has been deaf since birth, attending the Nebraska School for the Deaf in Omaha from kindergarten through graduation. Studying alongside deaf peers and often teachers, Albert developed his skills and confidence as a member of the deaf community and honed his fluency in American Sign Language (ASL).

Albert’s mentees are not surrounded by other deaf peers and adults as they navigate school and life. Albert has shared his language ability with each of his mentees, amusing them with his funny stories and encouraging them with his life experiences. He has held several statewide leadership roles in the deaf community.

Even more importantly, Albert helps his mentees to claim their place in the deaf community. They learn ways to overcome challenges that deaf people encounter while charting a course to the future they imagine for themselves. 

His facilitator notices the impact on Albert’s mentee.

“Having Albert to communicate with in sign language helps Sevastian grow his sign skills, confidence and appreciation for ASL.” 

Albert’s third mentee, Matthew, was typical, Albert signed.

“They are all shy at first.”

Later, Matthew would write a long letter of thanks to Albert that acknowledged this. 

“I am so glad you were able to ‘break my ice’ as quickly as you did. I am a hard person to talk to because I am a very timid person, but after I met you, I felt more and more comfortable.” 

Matthew ultimately attended the conference of the Junior National Association for the Deaf and became its secretary. He went on to attend Gallaudet University and received his bachelor’s degree and recently completed a master’s degree.

Albert advocates for TeamMates in the deaf community. He has recruited more than one mentor to our program to better serve the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students.

Albert’s dedication to others has not gone unnoticed. He received the ServeNebraska Mentorship Award from the Office of the Governor on Oct. 3 for his exceptional work. Albert was selected for demonstrating “outstanding youth mentorship” by nurturing, guiding and supporting one or more mentees.

TeamMates of Lincoln was proud to have nominated Albert for this well-deserved award. We are so happy he was selected and was able to be celebrated at the Step Forward Awards luncheon for volunteerism.

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