Unfreezing in Front of Congress: Ximena Finds Her Voice

When I commit to something, I give it my all. I spent two months learning soccer and made my high school’s varsity team. After being told I was too young for the AP Chemistry prep course, I studied hard and became the only student in my school to pass the entrance exam.

But when hundreds of U.S. Congress members stared back at me, I felt my nerves take over. After months of preparation, here I was, miles from home, ready to advocate for my community — but suddenly, I froze.

As the silence lingered, I thought about how I had gotten here, to the biggest moment of my life.

Supporting My Community’s Mental Health

I’ve loved sports since I was little, and that’s how my brother and I first came to Boys & Girls Clubs. In high school, I realized there was more to do and started attending the teen programs and organizing volunteer trips after school. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted to do more for my community, so I joined Boys & Girls Club of McAllen’s Think, Learn, Create Change teen advocacy group.

I quickly became one of the leaders, and together, we discussed the unique experiences of students from Mexican American families living in McAllen. Starting over in a new place can take an emotional toll on any family. So, we decided to offer our support by compiling local mental health resources and sharing it with the community. We even met with a state senator to discuss more ways of empowering schools to support our cause.

Our efforts were not in vain, and our Club teen advocacy group was flown to Washington, D.C., to share our work with the U.S. Congress. This was at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s annual Summit for America’s Youth, and it’s a big deal.

Which brings me back to that moment, standing before our nation’s lawmakers.

Raising My Voice to Congress

Nervous didn’t come close to how I was feeling. I had no experience speaking to crowds this large, and as five hundred pairs of eyes locked onto me, my mind went blank.

But then, I remembered who I was there for: my community.

At that moment, I found my voice and spoke with passion and truth. It was the most significant moment of my life, looking out at all those faces in the U.S. Congress, hoping to touch as many hearts as I could.

That night, my Club won a grant to continue our advocacy work back home. But I personally got more than money; I found my purpose, opening the door to new ambitions.

A Career Advocating for Everyone’s Futures

I used to see myself becoming an engineer, but at the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, I learned that people are the best part of my day. As a teen employee, I got my first job experience as our Club’s receptionist — welcoming parents and kids, answering calls, giving tours and translating between English and Spanish. I’m also on the Club’s junior staff and youth advisory committees.

My Club experiences helped me realize that I don’t just want to contribute to change; I want to lead it. After speaking to Congress in Washington, D.C., I know a career in law or public policy is in my future.

A Generation Committed to Doing Good

My advocacy work has expanded to many issues, from promoting a cleaner school environment to addressing cell phone addiction among teens. Like most people, I want to make the world a better place. Unlike most people, I have the desire and discipline to make change happen — and I’m not alone. Through Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youth of the Year teen leadership program, I’ve met young people from across the country who are making a difference in their communities, too.

Even though we’re young, we care, and through Boys & Girls Clubs, we are given the resources and mentorship to improve the systems we are born into.

Being named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2025-2026 National Youth of the Year may have shocked me, but not my Club mentor, Kat. She has always encouraged me to fight my doubts and trust my voice.

Now, I’m a different person from when I first joined the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen. I’ve gone from shy and school-focused to sociable and well-rounded. The mentors I’ve found feel like second parents and each opportunity has made me a stronger leader. I now know making the world a better place is what matters most to me. And with my family and Club behind me, looking our U.S. Congress in the eye is just the beginning.