Your unique experiences and background are your strength, and your community needs your voice, even when you don’t think you’re ready.
As a part of our series about Young Social Impact Heroes, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ximena V.
Ximena V. is an advocate for human rights and environmental sustainability. As a first-generation Mexican American, she witnessed the challenges her family and community faced in adapting to a new country. In response, she’s led several advocacy projects focused on empowering immigrant teens and families, even speaking directly to the U.S. Congress. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2025–2026 National Youth of the Year, she serves as a spokesperson for America’s youth. Ximena continues her advocacy work in McAllen, Texas, on her way to pursuing a career in law.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in McAllen, Texas, as a first-generation Mexican-American. Spanish was my first language, and it took me a while to feel comfortable speaking English. I was very shy as a kid and didn’t like public speaking due to the language barriers.
Throughout my childhood, I was a member of several local Boys & Girls Clubs, but I kept to myself, devoting my time and energy to sports, studying, and maintaining my grades. I never imagined I’d one day be speaking in front of Congress or advocating for my community on a national stage.
You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
I am a proud member of Boys & Girls Clubs of McAllen and have been a member for nine years. My Club has not only offered me the space to grow, but also a platform to lead, speak, serve and now advocate for more than 4 million young people served by Boys & Girls of America.
It wasn’t until high school that my transformation really began. I joined the Youth Advisory Committee and helped organize service projects and local events. Through these experiences, I discovered a profound sense of purpose in giving back to my community. Today, through my Club’s Think, Learn, Create Change advocacy program, I focus on advocating for resources in Mexican-American communities. As a first-generation Mexican-American, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges my family and community faced adjusting to life in a new country. That’s why I’m passionate about ensuring immigrant families like mine have access to the support they need to overcome language barriers, financial hardships, and mental health struggles.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the majority of us are Mexican-American and Hispanic. As a community, we all face the same issues, but oftentimes we don’t realize that there can be solutions. Language barriers limit our potential, which I faced personally. Many people leave the city, but there’s a lot of potential to grow within ourselves right at home. It was very close to my heart and I wanted to make a difference anyway I knew how.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
There were many moments where I wanted to speak up and really start making a change, but I didn’t know where to start. As I continued to slowly find my voice through advocacy, I noticed people actually started to listen and pay attention to me. This realization showed me that I could continue doing this, and it wouldn’t be the last time, because people wanted to hear what I had to say.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
I had the opportunity to share my voice with Texas lawmakers and the US Congress, which wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my Club. But before I got to those big stages, my Club provided me with foundational tools, especially public speaking training to build my confidence & speaking skills. I started small, working in roles like reception at my Club, where I provided English-Spanish translation for families. Then I took on leadership positions as Junior Staff vice president and Keystone president, which gave me critical organizational and communication skills.
Through the Think, Learn, Create Change program, I led a project focused on the challenges faced by immigrant teens. I compiled mental health resources specifically for Mexican-American families, which required research, outreach, and understanding what gaps existed in our community. I identified problems, surveyed the community, created presentations, and a website. My Club gave me the platform and support to take these resources to decision makers, I met with lawyers and senators to discuss community empowerment and ultimately presented before the U.S. Congress at the Summit for America’s Youth in Washington, D.C. Through these conversations I proposed mandating training for teachers to better deal with struggling immigrant teens, and the implementation of language classes and mental health awareness presentations.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Since joining the Boys & Girls Clubs, I have been able to meet with Texas lawmakers to advocate for the Mexican-American community in Texas. The most incredible experience was speaking directly to the US Congress at the Summit for America’s Youth, advocating for mental health resources and showing up for those in my community unable to do so for themselves.
One of the most eye-opening experiences since being named National Youth of the Year was being recognized at my current school for a special celebration in my honor. It was humbling to see so many students, K-12, looking up to me to inspire and help guide them toward their own goals through volunteerism and community engagement.
It felt surreal to look back at how much has changed. I felt proud to represent my parents and community, and I take pride in knowing that because of them, there’s so much more to go.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I recall my first opportunity to speak publicly, when I was tasked with emceeing our annual theater production, and my microphone didn’t work. I remember feeling embarrassed, and I ended up going backstage after being on the stage so awkwardly. My CEO pushed me back on stage, and I had to adapt to speaking loudly to make up for the microphone’s lack. This taught me to persevere through hardship, even if it’s nerve-wracking and awkward. It all pays off and gives you a good laugh after.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
My Club was the biggest support system I had in advocating for others. Other teens supported me and always encouraged me to use my voice, even when I didn’t believe in myself. The people I encountered in my club showed me what it means to be a leader and how to build a community that made it possible for me to speak out for others and take risks. Through my positions as receptionist, Junior Staff vice president, and Keystone president, I was surrounded by peers and mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself.
Alongside my Club, I had a really special mentor. Katherine Maravilla, my Club mentor and one of our leaders, has been a huge support system and positive influence. She’s believed in me and pushed me into the spotlight many times, even when I didn’t think I could do it. She saw potential in me, and it’s because of her support that I am able to continue doing what I love.
Winning the Boys & Girls Clubs’ National Youth of the Year award was a great accomplishment and would not have been possible without the help of my friends and family. Thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s partners, Kohl’s Cares and Toyota, I was able to receive a scholarship and a car, which will help me get one step closer to my future goals.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
The main thing I would say is that leaders need to listen to the young people in the community in which they serve. Oftentimes, teen voices are dismissed because we are so young, but we have problems like everyone else that can be solved. Some of these problems can be solved through the help of community leaders, and for me, that was my Club.
Additionally, there needs to be implementation of English classes in our community through our club, awareness programs for these communities, and mandated training for teachers, so they can be better equipped to deal with the issues faced by immigrant teens.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
Always give it your all. In my family, we say, “echenle ganas”, which means the same thing, but it always reminds me to keep going.
Speak up for what you see. Issues in my community were overlooked because they were so common, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
You are always being interviewed — Councilmember Metayer once told me and other panelists at a past YOY competition that quote, and it’s true, use it to your advantage.
Get out of your comfort zone! Put yourself in uncomfortable situations like speaking on stage because that’s how you grow, that’s how I grew, in terms of public speaking, sports, and advocacy.
Seek balance when it comes to academics. My experience of being an isolated but determined student and transforming into a balanced individual.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Community is the most important thing, and it’s important to uplift others, especially if they don’t have access to the same opportunities as you. Through my Club, I was able to connect with others from my community to hear their stories and compare similar experiences, and it only provided me with more fuel to continue speaking out for others.
When I started, I was shy and uncomfortable speaking English in public. But when I found my voice through the Boys & Girls Clubs, I realized that my perspective as a first-generation Mexican-American wasn’t a limitation; it was exactly what made my advocacy powerful. Your unique experiences and background are your strength, and your community needs your voice, even when you don’t think you’re ready.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Someone I deeply admire is Sonya Sotomayor. She is the first Hispanic woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court as a Supreme Court justice. Her resilience and achievement remind me that I, too, can one day serve on the United States Supreme Court as a proud Latina.
I would ask her: What challenges did you face early in your career, and how did you overcome them? What advice would you give to young Latinas, like myself, who want to succeed in both law and public service?
How can our readers follow you online?
You can continue hearing about my passions and story by visiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America website and following @BGCA_Clubs on all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube).
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
