Celebrating Leah: Our 2025 Youth of the Year
From our Oceanside Clubhouse
At the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest San Diego, we are honored to celebrate Leah as our 2024 Youth of the Year. Her story of resilience, growth, and leadership truly embodies the values we strive to nurture in every child we serve. Leah’s journey has been marked by significant challenges, but also remarkable growth and transformation, much of which has been supported by the programs and mentorship at the Boys & Girls Club.
Leah’s story begins with a profound loss. As she reflects, “Mija, ponte las pilas, aprende inglés porque te abrirá muchas oportunidades en tu futuro,” (“Sweetie, get it together. Learn English because it will open up so many opportunities for you in your future”) were words her father always repeated to her and her siblings. Unfortunately, Leah’s father passed away unexpectedly, leaving her family to navigate the overwhelming challenges of moving to a new country. “Moving to a new country, learning a new language, and most of all, losing my dad, was one of the hardest moments my family and I have ever faced,” she shared.
When Leah and her family arrived in the U.S., everything felt foreign. She was scared, stressed, and uncertain about how to fit in. “I had a mask on my face, and I felt I wouldn’t be able to communicate with people or make friends,” Leah remembers. Her fears were compounded when she started school, feeling isolated and unsure of how to connect with others. But then her mom enrolled her in the Boys & Girls Club, and that’s when Leah’s journey began to change.
“When I first walked into the Boys & Girls Club, I felt lost,” Leah admits. “But I quickly made new friends, despite the language barrier. Everyone was so friendly, understanding, and welcoming. I felt a sense of relief knowing that the Boys & Girls Club would open up so many doors for me.” It was here that Leah found a community that not only embraced her but also encouraged her to grow, explore new interests, and build the confidence she needed to succeed.
Through the Club, Leah found her passion for learning and personal growth. She dove into activities like the robotics club, where she was introduced to the possibility of a future in engineering. “The robotics club opened up my mind to the possibility of an engineering career,” she says, reflecting on how it sparked her interest in STEM. She also joined the cup stacking club, a seemingly simple activity that became a lesson in perseverance. “At first, cup stacking felt impossible—like a puzzle I couldn’t quite solve, especially when I struggled to understand the staff’s instructions,” Leah recalls. “But the more I opened myself up to the challenge, the more I grew. I learned not just how to cup stack, but how to communicate, lead, and teach others with confidence.”
Leah’s growth wasn’t limited to just the activities; field trips played a huge role in expanding her horizons. “Visiting new places like SeaWorld, the zoo, and going hiking were great experiences that I wouldn’t have had outside of Boys & Girls Club,” she says, adding that these opportunities gave her the chance to connect with her peers and explore the world beyond her immediate surroundings.
Through it all, one person who made a lasting impact on Leah’s life is Ms. Meredith, one of the Club’s mentors. “Ms. Meredith has become one of my top mentors because of how kind and supportive she is with me,” Leah shares. “She makes sure I stay on top of my schoolwork, try new things, and reach my goals. I no longer see her as a staff member, but as someone I can trust, feel safe with, and truly count on.” Ms. Meredith, along with other staff members who helped her with English, gave Leah the support she needed to succeed both academically and personally.
Leah’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and community. Despite the hardships she faced, she found strength in her family, her mentors, and the Boys & Girls Club. “I thank my mother for planting the seed of strength and resilience inside of me, my father for giving me the roots of hope, and the Boys & Girls Club for giving me the chance to not only survive, but to blossom.”
Leah’s journey from fear and uncertainty to confidence and leadership is exactly why she was chosen as our 2025 Youth of the Year. She represents the very best of what the Boys & Girls Club stands for—helping young people realize their full potential and empowering them to lead with integrity, embrace diversity, and positively impact their communities. We are incredibly proud of Leah and can’t wait to see all that she will accomplish in the future.