Xiadani De Le Lima, a 17-year-old senior at Nashua High School South, will be honored as Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua on May 8., a 17-year-old senior at Nashua High School South, will be honored as Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua on May 8. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua will honor Xiadani De Le Lima, a senior at Nashua High School South, as Youth of the Year during the club’s annual Youth of the Year and Hall of Fame Celebration on May 8.

De Le Lima and her parents immigrated to Nashua from Mexico during the summer of 2017. At the time, she was just 10 years old and the idea of moving to the United States was daunting to say the least. De Le Lima only knew a few words in English and had absolutely no idea how she could ever be successful in an American school system.

However, De Le Lima’s fears were quelled a few months later when her parents brought her to BGCN. During the past seven years, the club has become her second home, assisting her with developing leadership skills, building relationships, getting a job and applying to college.

Now 17, De Le Lima will graduate high school on June 10 with plans to become a respiratory therapist.

In addition to playing field hockey, De Le Lima is the president of Health Occupation Students of America, Best Buddies and Student Language Assistance. She also served as the president of the Keystone Leadership Club at BGCN.

Remembering how her life used to be, De Le Lima is committed to connecting Spanish-speaking students with their English-speaking peers.

“The culture shock I faced coming to Nashua fuels my desire to ensure other young people experience the same warm welcome and support that the club gave to me,” said De Le Lima. “For the past seven years, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua has been my main source of knowledge and mentorship. It’s a safe space where I built up my English vocabulary and made lifelong friendships. It’s where I’ve been taken outside of my comfort zone and realized who I am and what I want to be. When I was younger, I remember meeting and feeling inspired by the Youth of the Year. It’s crazy to think this year it’s me.”

De Le Lima also said BGCN has given her the opportunity to help others.

“Through Teen Council, I was able to deliver food boxes to homes of those in need,” she said. “Since then, I have made it my mission to volunteer through the club and in my community. Seeing the grateful expression on someone’s face after you’ve helped them is the most rewarding feeling and I am so thankful for all the club has given to me. I just want to pay it forward.”

BGCN Executive Director Craig Fitzgerald lauded De Le Lima for her exemplary work since she arrived in Nashua seven years ago.

“Xiadani represents the values, mission and work of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua in so many ways,” he said. “To see her journey of self-discovery, leadership and contributions to her community come to fruition has been a joy and is a reminder of why we do this work.”

After receiving BGCN’s highest award, De Le Lima will be eligible to compete against award recipients from other clubs throughout the region for a chance to represent the northeast in the national competition of the Boys and Girls Club of America.

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