Shown from left are Dr. Lauren Sanchez Gilbert, CEO of BellXcel, Angelique Demanche, site director at the YMCA of Greater Nashua and Chief Operating Officer Joseph Manzoli. Demanche received the Arly Impact Rising Star Award from BellXcel on Dec. 14. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

MERRIMACK – In a surprise presentation, Angelique Demanche of the YMCA of Greater Nashua was recently chosen to receive the Arly Impact Rising Star Award.

Standing out among hundreds of other nominees, Demanche was the first New England resident to receive the Arly Award, according to Chief Operating Officer Joseph Manzoli.

The commendation was presented on Dec. 14 by BellXcel, a nonprofit organization specializing in youth programming.

“It is such an honor to present Angelique Demanche with the Arly Impact Rising Star Award,” said Dr. Lauren Sanchez Gilbert, chief executive officer of BellXcel. “We evaluate a large pool of youth program workers and educators nationwide and the dedication she has to help children reach their full potential is evident. We are honored to be able to recognize the work she is doing with this award.”

Manzoli said Demanche, who has been with the YMCA for the past five years, volunteered to lead the Power Scholars Academy after the prior director left abruptly last summer. In addition to the Power Scholars Academy, Demanche also directs the after school program at the YMCA’s Merrimack branch.

“You are an angel to these kids,” Manzoli said to Demanche. “You’re such a wonderful ambassador to the YMCA.”

Demanche was almost at a loss for words.

“I’m truly honored, I’m shocked,” she said, adding that she is usually the one nominating her colleagues for the award.

According to BellXcel, the Arly Award was created to “recognize outstanding individuals engaged with youth programs nationwide and celebrate their pursuit to help children reach their full potential.”

“Angel has consistently been an integral piece of our youth development program staff at the Y for many years,” said Lynne Boyer, executive director of Community Impact. “Her passion and ability to work with our most vulnerable children is so admirable and inspiring.”