Ep. 4 - From Club Kid To National Voice

A mic, a mission, and a village that won’t let you shrink. We sit down with Ximena, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year, to unpack how a sports-loving club kid became a confident advocate on national stages, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The story moves fast—junior staff summers turn into public speaking reps, MC gigs at the Keystone Conference, and a front-row seat to how major events are built. Along the way, she shares the nerves, the learning curve, and the moments that made her feel ten feet tall, like a whirlwind trip to Toronto and conversations with leaders who model presence without pretense.What stands out is how community converts potential into momentum. Advisors and mentors at the Boys & Girls Club create real opportunities: hosting, co-leading programs, and meeting people who open new doors. That support powers focused advocacy, including a Teens Leading Change project in the Rio Grande Valley designed to help immigrant teens navigate language barriers and school transitions. We talk about meeting with a senator’s office, partnering with immigration lawyers, and pushing for teacher training through the state education agency—practical, local moves with system-level ripple effects. We also spotlight mental health initiatives at clubs, from calming corners to hands-on fairs that make coping skills feel normal and accessible.Behind the highlights is the grind: AP tests, college essays, a week-long national competition, and leadership roles that stretch every hour of the day. Ximena lays out how she stays steady—early-morning “lock-in” writing sessions, leaning into energizing work, and remembering why the effort matters. A chance interview on a club podcast leads to a first legal internship, which leads to another, and soon a career path emerges: study business or political science, go to law school, practice business law, and one day serve in public office. If you care about youth empowerment, civic leadership, and turning opportunity into impact, this conversation will leave you fired up to take the next step.Subscribe to Youth Unmuted, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to help more people find these stories.Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County. Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmutedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280 LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted