Youth Unmuted
Youth Unmuted is where Benton County teens grab the mic and keep it real. Hosted by teen Club member Holden, each episode mixes unfiltered energy with authentic conversations about the things that matter most, from sports and leadership to mental health, community, and the everyday ups and downs of teen life.
Along the way, Holden welcomes special guests with stories worth hearing, adding fresh perspectives and unforgettable moments to the mix. It’s not just talk; it’s laughter, hot takes, and powerful stories that show teens aren’t just preparing for the future, they’re shaping the present. Plus-Club members gain hands-on experience in media, storytelling, and leadership that sets them up for success in every part of life.
Plug in, turn it up, and discover what happens when today’s youth go completely unmuted.
Youth Unmuted
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.
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Welcome back everyone. My name is Holden, and I am your host for the Youth Unmuted Podcast. This is a team-led podcast with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, where we share unique stories that relate to today's youth. Let's get started. Today we're joined by an extraordinary young leader, Hamena, the Boys and Girls Club of America's National Youth of the Year. Known for her resilience, determination, and commitment to uplifting her community, Hamena represents the very best of what young people can achieve. Her story is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose. And we're excited to dive into her journey and the impact she's already making. So, Hamena, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and you know um just how you got to become part of the Boys and Girls Club?
SPEAKER_00:Of course. Thank you so much for having me here. I'm really glad to join you today. So I've been with the club since my childhood years. I actually started uh with like volleyball and softball. I was a sports kid with the club and with different uh organizations near it. But um, yeah, I started off with sports and then it was in high school that I got more involved in through volunteering. I don't know if your club also does this, but we have a program in the summer where we can volunteer and like work as junior staff. And so that's where I got more involved, and I just loved it so much. I became involved in different advocacy groups or programs there in my club. And ever since then, you know, I've been very passionate about advocacy, about public speaking, and that led me to youth of the year too, where we are today.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, that's so amazing. And I believe that um our club has had junior staff in the past. At the moment, we don't have it, but that's a super cool initiative that your club is taking, and obviously you can tell that it's working. So yeah, that's awesome. And so, um, what is the youth of the year process like and how is it competing for national youth of the year?
SPEAKER_00:Um, oh my gosh. I could talk about this for hours. I think that not a lot of people know what the process looks like. So I'll tell you, I'll break it down into like a simpler process. But essentially, like I competed like locally for my Boys and Grossova McAllen, that's where I'm from. And then once you win local, you go to state, where you compete against like all of the other clubs in the state that do youth of the year. After that, if you win that, you go to regionals and then regionals to nationals. Now, nationals was insane. All of these, every single one of these uh etapas, this these stages was very nerve-wracking, right? It was a lot of public speaking, a lot of you know networking with different people. But I think at every single moment you always meet these individuals that are so inspiring, they have really amazing stories. I know Kaylee is from your club. Am I yeah, she was amazing. All of these kids have just amazing stories, and like to get to engage with them to really connect with them on a different level was just so inspiring. Um, I think nationals it was like two months ago, I think it was like years ago at this point, honestly. But it was it was so amazing. It was in Los Angeles. I got to meet all of these amazing people at the conference. There was there were CEOs, there was presidents, there were these community leaders that spoke so well. And to just be in that you know, scene, it can be a little um, I guess, overwhelming, maybe that that would be the word. I was gonna say underwhelming, but I don't think that's overheard. Um it can be it can make you feel small, but I think that I think as the stages go on, you learn to like really, you know, who you are and you know your story, and by the time that you get to nationals, it's just it's such an amazing experience. You get to meet really make really welcome good connections, and it was just a really good experience. I loved it. I'm assuming you're gonna do youth of the year or you have done youth of the year.
SPEAKER_01:Uh yeah, so I did it a while ago back in eighth grade, is when I won state, and so then I'll be doing it again this year. So I've been working on the packet and everything, and it's been super fun, and it definitely brings me brings me back to the memories. But yeah, it seems super awesome so far.
SPEAKER_00:Oh my god, you should definitely do it. If you're having a whole podcast, girl, you got it. Don't worry. You have it already set. I'm glad you should definitely do it. I think it's a really good opportunity, and a lot of people know about it. I think that if more people, if there was more exposure, there was to be so many other more kids getting these opportunities as well. So you should definitely do it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. And I know you mentioned that you've only been uh Nationals was only two months ago. Um, but I know since then you've probably had so many crazy journeys and experiences. So maybe like what has been your favorite part so far, your favorite experience, and what is something you're looking forward to?
SPEAKER_00:I think my favorite part, it was like, look, I don't know with my dates. I'm not good with my dates. I don't know when it was, but I recently went to the oh my god, it was a world series. I don't know if you knew there was like a baseball world series going on. I went to the second game in Toronto and it was so amazing, it was so good. I got the opportunity to uh deliver the ball, like I put it over there on the mountain, and all everyone was saying, like, oh, how was it pitching? I was like, girl, it was not a pitch. Okay, I just put it on the ground, not that big of a deal. No, but it was a really amazing experience. And I got to meet, I got to meet like Derek Jeter and David Ortiz and A Rod again, like it was all these crazy people. I met the Jonas brothers too. Like, what? What? Like, my my phone screen.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, yeah, yeah. The Jonas brothers, yeah, absolutely. That would be mine too, for sure. That's that's amazing.
SPEAKER_00:That's amazing. Yes, it was a really fun experience. And I mean, it wasn't Toronto about places like what? No manches. It was so good. I had never been to Canada before. And if you haven't gone, I'm telling you right now, dream trip, make a plan. 20 years, we're gonna go. We have to go. It's so good, it's so fun. Uh, and the weather's really good.
SPEAKER_01:It wasn't too cold. It wasn't too cold.
SPEAKER_00:It was look, I live in Texas. I don't know where where are you uh Arkansas, so we're cold. Oh, yeah, yeah. So yeah, like I live in Texas, right? No, no, the heat is just another level. And then I went uh to Toronto in like October, maybe. So it was like maybe like uh low, high 40s, low 50s. So it was like chilly, like that's our winter. This is Texas winter, at least where I'm from. So going over there in October was just so amazing. I loved it. And maybe I'm like a weird Texan, right? Because everyone always complains about the cold, but I loved it. And I I definitely would want to go back in the winter to see how it is, you know?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's yeah, for sure. I've never been to Canada. Um, my advisor Ashley, she she's been to Canada and she like always like the hiking, she's big on hiking and like being adventurous. So I know that like that's something super cool. Uh when you go on these trips, do you get to take anyone with you? Or I know through Guth of the Year, you probably had an advisor with you.
SPEAKER_00:Yes. So because I'm an underage, or yeah, I'm I'm 17, I have to take my advisor. Yeah, I think I think once I turn 18 that I I only go alone, but that's in a long time, guys. That's like in like five months. Yeah, but I get to go with Kat. She's amazing. I love her. She's my advisor since the very beginning. She was actually the one that got me into all of these programs, and uh, she loves it. She loves traveling with me. And right now she was planning her wedding like a couple of weeks ago. I think it's literally in December. So she's been, you know, kind of stressed out about that. But she's told me she likes these trips are like my relief, you know, they're my let go and enjoy of Toronto and all these things. So yeah, she's very happy about it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's amazing. I didn't realize that you were only 17. I'm I'm 18. My birthday was like two weeks ago. Like, you're younger than I am, so just like props to you, you know. You've already done so much and been recognized at the highest level possible. So just congratulations. And I yeah, just I'm so excited for you. Yeah, it seems like you've had a blessed. Yeah, I I'm 18. I I feel old now, but I feel old. But no, that's that's are you a senior?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I'm a senior, I'm a high school senior. You too?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I'm a senior.
SPEAKER_00:Oh my god, how is college apps going?
SPEAKER_01:Uh they're going good, honestly. I mean, I just I applied to the University of Arkansas and then like University of Central Arkansas, and I played for Harvard, but like that's not happening.
SPEAKER_00:That's just like you never know. You never know. Me too, bro. I'm gonna play too. I'm applying like before.
SPEAKER_01:Really?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah, we're like right now, exactly.
SPEAKER_01:So we'll go there together.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, but we're gonna have to post up though. Just even if you're like it, we're just gonna post up.
SPEAKER_01:For sure. Even if we don't get accepted, we'll just we'll just come anyway.
SPEAKER_00:No, yeah. I think honestly, I want to talk about that a little bit, just a little bit. Uh not to get too sidetracked, but honestly, like being a senior and then doing all these college applications, leaning all these clubs, and then having to do all the youth of the year things as well has been hectic, chaotic, crazy. But um, it's a fun experience, and I think it's a lot of uh building resilience.
SPEAKER_01:No, no, yeah, for sure. Can you talk a little bit about how you build that resilience or kind of just like how you're able to work through it?
SPEAKER_00:I think I think last year I got a little bit of exposure, you know, with like the the regionals and then with our state and then regionals, like during my AP exam. So I was like going crazy with that. Um, where it was like, well, I had a test one morning, and then as soon as I finished the test, I had to go fly out to uh the Southwest region a conference, and then I missed another test, so I had to retake it as soon as I got back. It was insane. It was a lot of studying on the plane. It was it was crazy, yeah. But for now, it's just been chaotic because for the national competition, it was a week-long competition in Los Angeles, and so I missed all of that work, and I had like three exams, and so I came back, I had to study for the exams, I had to do all the work, and it took me like a month to catch up because my school's kind of like very it's I don't know, it's it's uh very uh rigorous, rigorous high school, that's what it's called. Yeah, I was gonna say prestigious, but not the word. I'm still thinking Harvard over here. No, but uh because of the whole national competition, I didn't get to finish my personal statement or my supplementals for any school. And so it was just crazy to like rush an early decision application, and then right now I'm doing all the regulars. So it's just it's been a lot, it's been a lot. I I I cannot have to handle between, you know, I'm the president of my school's NHS, it's like a little, you know, a little club. Yeah, so I'm like leading all of that because you know it's I I don't know how to like delegate, guys. I'm telling you right now, I don't know how to delegate. And so I'm doing all these responsibilities, and then I'm doing essays, and then I have to do dinners with like donors for the club. So it's just it's been a little hectic, but it's fun, it's fun. I honestly I love the interaction, I love to meeting people, and you know, like things like these, like these things get me excited. So, like when I'm writing like my subbrunch, I'm like, oh, at least I have like a podcast after this, you know, like at least I have something to look forward to. So it's it's a bit a fun process, it's it's a little challenging at times, but I think the the conviviendo is what gets me through it, it's the talking through it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. And we're super appreciative that you're able to make time to be on here. I know it's early, and I'm sure you've probably got a million other things going on today. Uh so we're don't worry, we're very appreciative of that. Are you on break right now? Are you on Thanksgiving break?
SPEAKER_00:I am, I am. I know. I was like, girl, why did you schedule this at eight in the morning?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I have a basketball game today. I I have like a practice and a walkthrough. So I was like, Oh my god. We were like, we gotta get this done in the morning.
SPEAKER_00:Wait, do you have it after? Like later on?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, later on today. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, my I my apologies. Hey, you guys could have told me I can like reschedule.
SPEAKER_01:No, no, you're fine. This is perfect. This worked out great for us. And I'm sorry, we just we didn't let you sleep in another day.
SPEAKER_00:No, no, no, please. This is really good, guys. I've been up since five in the morning grinding supplementals. Like, this is perfect. This is what I need. This is my lock-in time, I'm telling you.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you you guys see this right here. The work ethic of youth of the year has right here, up since five in the morning. That's that's crazy. I mean, and honestly, like senior grind, like there's a lot of stuff that's going on, like, even for me, and I'm not in near the capacity of a platform that you have right now. Now it's like, wow, I always got stuff going on, so I can't even imagine. So, props to you for thank you, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00:And no, it's the same way for this, like leaning on a podcast, that's hard work, guys. I'm telling you, that's hard work.
SPEAKER_01:I got a lot of people that support me. I have a lot of people. Uh, so yeah, earlier when you're talking about schools and like how like rigorous and just like your advisors, it makes me think of like your community. How has your community been like supportive, you know, and like how have they had an impact in on where you are today?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, well, they're the reason I'm here today, honestly. They have been super supportive, similar to yours, where they have always tried to uplift me, they've always tried to give me different opportunities to grow and learn more when it comes to you know public speaking. I think it was through my boys, obviously, my bosom growth club has been an essential key part, right? The main part. Uh, my parents supported me through the whole process. They've always been like, you know, traveling alone, that's scary. But you know what? The club has impacted me in so many ways, and they trusted in the club. And because of that, I was able to go to these competitions. And I think at my club, I have a lot of staff and a lot of mentors that have always tried to be like, you know what, there's an there's an opportunity coming up. We want Hima to co-lead or to MC or to, you know, just lead the whole thing. And it's because of those opportunities that I've gotten better at it. So I really do owe them the credit that by the time that I got to youth of the year, I was already used to being on stage. I was already used to, you know, having that energy and having to engage with individuals. I think that if I hadn't had their support and their continuous, like trying to get me to learn and exposure, I wouldn't have been prepared for youth of the year. So I'm really, really grateful for them. And honestly, like anytime I would come home. So when I won, I think it was Texas State, I came back from the airplane. I was so, I was so tired. I was over here like todas las ojeras, the i bags everywhere. It was terrible. And then I'm walking to the gate, and there's a whole like amazing people, like a whole community that is here to like congratulate me at the airport. And that was just so amazing. I think it's those types of moments that really remind me of how important the community is. Because if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be in this position. So I'm really, really grateful.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely, absolutely. And the Boys and Girls Club, I mean, personally, like for me, and like you said the same thing, they're just so good at like uplifting and like my word that I constantly use is like spotlight. They're constantly a spotlight for youth. Like, they're the reason that we're here today doing this podcast. They're the reason like you get to be on that national stage. And so, really, just then being able to like amplify our voices and be that spotlight for us has been super impactful for not only you and me, but millions of other teens and youth across the country and even on the military bases around the world.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah. A hundred percent. Yeah, I think uh a lot of the connections that I made through Youth of the Year, they always talk about their advisors, their CEOs, like the people in their club, because it is through like one of them that you know they believed in me or they they saw potential in me. It's like that's why. Like, if it weren't for them trying to put it like putting in their hard work and effort into these kids, there we wouldn't be here. So it's always really nice to get to give that credit to them where it's due.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. My advisor is one of my best friends. We talk all the time. So yeah, they're super, they're super beneficial, and I'm so thankful for them. They're just a second family, like the whole boys and girls club is for sure. And I can see that it's the same for you. Um, you talked about MCing, and um I saw you at the national Keystone Conference because I got to be a part of the committee, and you got to go uh and MC with uh young scholars. So tell me tell us a little bit about like that, because that was super fun, and you got the crowd really hyped for that.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, oh thank you. I'm glad it went well. It was um it wasn't as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be, you know, kind of how I told you that like it can be kind of scary to be on stage. Um, he made it feel so, you know, like casual to just casually be on stage and getting the uh crowd hyped up. It was a really amazing opportunity. I think I was I was definitely nervous because I think I was like one of the I was the last one actually. I was the last day. I yeah, that's what it was. So I I had started the conference being like, oh my gosh, like I need to analyze how the the co-hosts are doing, but it was really good. It was really good. I think I got to see a lot of the behind the scenes of like the with the people organizing it and calling up the speakers and how everything is structured, and it was a lot, it was very learning, very insightful. Um, but yeah, I really enjoyed it. I think it was a good opportunity to not just meet uh young scholar, but I think I also met like Alex, Alex, I don't know what his name, Weber? Alex, yeah, the speaker, Alex Weber, yeah. He was really so amazing, yeah. He was having a whole conversation with me five minutes before he went on stage. Like Mance wasn't even nervous, he wasn't even pre practicing nothing. He was like, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, like talking on for like 10 minutes, and then he goes on stage casually and he talks for like a whole hour. It was insane, it was a really good opportunity. A lot of exposure to how um, because you know how you can kind of feel like a little bit like uh you can feel kind of small when in terms of like whenever you're around people that are like really accomplished or they have a lot of experience when it comes to public speaking. I like how I've always felt that every single stage of the National Youth of the Year or Youth of the Year in general, I've always been like, well, these people know what to say all the time. And these people were like, they're in front of crowds of people, and they're just like, yeah, guys, like so and so. And so for me, it was kind of like very, I feel like I was very lost. I felt very like unprepared for all of the stages. But I think that the more you get to know these people, especially like talking to Alex Webber and talking to young scholars, it's like everyone is in the same boat, everyone has had that like experience of like not knowing what to say. And I think that over time you learn to like adapt and you just naturally become better at um knowing what to say in the moment. And so, because of that experience, I was so much more comfortable when it came to National Leeds of the Year. Because it was right before it was like, I think maybe like two months before, if I'm not mistaken, or a month before. Um, just seeing them like just be so good naturally prepared me for National Youth of the Year, I would say.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. And Alex Weber, he was really cool, and also like it doesn't matter the age because the day before, I think we had I don't I don't know how to pronounce her name, but I think it was Leamani. Leamani, she was the singer, uh, and she she's also in like Disney, like I think she's part of the descendants, and she she was so like articulate and nice, and like she had a talent for singing, but she was also just such a kind person and just so good at what she did and bringing people together. So being a part of the committee, like I got to talk to her backstage and Alex Weber, and it's really awesome to get to see everyone's like personalities and characteristics because they're really not much different than how they are on stage, like it's not an act, you know, it's just who they are, and honestly, like it was just a surreal experience. And I get what you're saying with like that small feeling, just because like you can see all their accomplishments, and like that's why they're there on stage today. Um, but it was super cool because they're all nice and they don't make you ever feel like beneath them. If anything, they lift you up, and so it was a super positive experience.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I think I was there, I think it was the same day when she performed. She write, she was sad. Yeah, she was there. I got to meet her too. I was so happy about that. I think she did, she was on descendants, I think. That's or descendants for or one of those, you know, one of those movies. But she was so sweet. Like, I remember how I talked to her and I felt like an like a very personal, like she wasn't being fake or anything, or it wasn't anything like that. She was it was a real person, and I think that I get what you're saying. Like, it's a it's a good way to like relate to these people because like they look they um they seem so accomplished and then they seem just like you. So it's like you could get there one day too. I totally feel that way.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. Um, before the national Gisong Conference was America's for Summit Youth, the Boys and Girls Clubs, um, where they go to DC and speak at that. Did you attend that at all?
SPEAKER_00:The Summit for America's Youth?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's uh so it's a uh conference in DC where like teens come together and they go and speak at Capitol Hill.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, I didn't go. I went last year. Last year I went and I think that's when we uh we placed that like TLC or the challenge maker. Yeah, it that I went I went for that one, but this year I only went to Keystone. But no, yeah, but I I remember the experience. I think it was it was where we presented our projects and there was like a fair about it, right? Something like that. Uh it was a really good experience. I loved it. I loved going to DCA. I had never been before, but um, I'm assuming you went. You say you went?
SPEAKER_01:I went the year before as well. So I didn't they were like the same week, I believe. Like it was like a Monday, Tuesday, and then they cross over Wednesday, something like that. So I wasn't able to attend, but yeah, that was super cool. You stayed your TLC project place, or like yeah, can you can you talk to us a little bit about it? And yeah, like where that um action came from.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, so we focused on so I live in the valley, right? Like in the very southern tip of Texas, and so a lot of us come from, you know, Mexican Americans, or a lot of us come from immigrants themselves. And so because of that, it is a lot like it's our culture, right? For a lot of us to be immigrants, we have the UGA language barrier, we have that kind of different type of lifestyle where we're kind of like, you know, like for me, like a lot of my friends and I are used to translating for our parents. And so we talked about how, you know, for a lot of these kids, the like especially specifically immigrant teens that are coming in like around our age, barely starting to learn the language, it's a lot harder to adapt. It's harder for them to help their parents through that same process. And so we really focused on the the struggles faced by them and how we could try to mitigate those struggles through, you know, language classes at our club or through different programs where we kind of gave presentations to um uh come on to say, like teachers, yeah, to those kind of like providers that could help these kids um through that process. And so we kind of we met with like a senator and we went with like different immigration lawyers to try and see like in what ways we could try to do to help. And we presented our project over there in DC, and it was a really amazing experience. We got to talk about, you know, the issues being faced in our community that I feel like were kind of more of like a border uh issue, you know, like it's not common to bigger cities because obviously bigger cities have a lot more resources. It is like over here in the smaller cities that it's like harder to adapt for them, and it was a really good experience. I think I got to meet a lot of people that were able to relate to our story because obviously, I mean, I there's a lot of immigrants in the country, and it's like it's something that's very common to us to like have those struggles but not really talk about them because I mean everyone's going through them, right? And so um it was just a really amazing experience. I believe we placed third, so we got um we got some funding for to continue our project, and because of that, I think we're still working on uh getting that process, and we've been looking out, reaching out to CEA, Texas Education, it's like the the education agency for the state to try and see if we could get some trainings mandated for teachers that they're better equipped to um help these students. Yeah, it was a really good experience, and I think that because it's something that a lot of us see, at least here in the McAllen, it was something that we could really talk about because we were passionate about it. Yeah. I was wondering what it was your project about.
SPEAKER_01:Exactly. So when we went, uh we just did a mental health, we talked about mental health. We did a mental uh a mental health fair at our boys and girls club. So what we did is we had different stations and different groups where we allowed the club kids to come and like maybe make fidgets. They got to play mental health bingo, kind of just like learn about different words and like what they meant, just like knowing that mental health is okay. It's okay to have those issues. It's okay to talk about them, it's okay to feel them. But also, you know, different coping mess mechanisms that you go through when you feel these issues, and like, how can we help if you're feeling sad, stressed, anxiety? What is good, what is different about this fidget that you know makes you allow to feel calm or why are calming corners so important? Um, right now I'm a part of the National Youth Advisory Council, and right now we're talking about those calming corners and really just getting those instilled in the clubs just all around the community, just because they really just allow kids, you know, take a step back, take a breather, relax, or maybe if maybe they haven't even got to that point yet, but they can feel that they're about to, you know, maybe become overstressed, like overstimulated, and they want to just take a step back. And so just talking about like mental health and kind of like that, it's okay, but also that there's different ways to cope and there's different people to talk about, and that the club's just another outlet that wants to be there to help you. So that was what we did, and it was super impactful. And your initiative just sounds over the top, like amazing. And I you can see like the firsthand change you guys are making already. So thank you so much. Thank you.
SPEAKER_00:And that's very important too. I think the year before us, we also we actually also did mental health. So that's a very important issue that I feel like it's important that a lot of people are talking about it. And I I you mentioned common corners. My club recently, this summer, this uh past summer was our first time having a common corner there. So it was it was very impactful. We saw a lot of kids, you know, trying to um say when you get oversensitized, sensitivity, yeah, overstimulated, yes, overstimulated. They got overstimulated and they really helped them um calm down. So I it's very definitely very important. And I'm glad you guys got to talk about it over there in the fair.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Thank you for that. Um, did you get to go to Capitol Hill and like speak to your senators and maybe their representatives?
SPEAKER_00:Yes, I believe, yeah, it was amazing. I think like I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I actually want to, I hope to one day be a representative or a senator. And so getting to go all the way to DC and then talking to these people was really amazing. I think our club, they or our region, the senator and the representative for them wasn't there on that day, but they because there was like another conference going on at the same time. But we got to talk to their chief of staff and we talked about the issues being faced and about what we were trying to do, and they were really amazing, they were very helpful, they were really willing to listen. Um, not just to what the issues being faced in our city, but also for the whole valley, for the whole like southern part of Texas. I think El Paso was there, I think Edinburgh was there too. And a lot of them were actually youth of the year before, like later on. So it was really good. It was like a whole networking experience, and I got to see them later. So it was a really good opportunity, but just to see them in action and just to see, you know, the chief of staff, they talk so well about all the work that they do and how you know it's very hard, it's very rigorous, but it's it's very efficient and it's very impactful. And it's like that's why it drives them to be this um to be this passionate because they know that they're making an impact in communities like ours. So it was really good to get to talk to them about what's happening in the valley and how they can help. Yeah, it was really good.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's awesome. And you said you just mentioned that you said you wanted to be a senator. So tell us a little bit about like your platform and your career goals.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, of course. So as I mentioned earlier, I'm uh still applying to college right now. I'm a senior um and I'm applying with the intention of I think majoring in either business or political science and then going to law school after. So I do want to become a lawyer. I actually came upon this organization because of the club. Uh, I think before the club, I was kind of very lost between like, you know, student political science because I like to code or different other areas that are very diverse. And it was through TLC actually going to DC two years or a year ago and talking about the issues being faced in my community that I realized that I was very passionate about advocacy. And I think that through that, I was like, you know what? Let me start looking for legal internships, let me look for opportunities where I can continue being an advocate, but not just for issues being faced, but for individuals. And so I talked about this album right podcast in my voice and breast club when I had a guest lawyer, right? And I talked about how I was passionate about it, about how she was a lawyer. Guess what? Guess what? She gave me a whole internship from that interview. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Let's go. Connections, connections are so important. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:It was really amazing. She gave me an internship at her office, and it was so beautiful, very, very fancy office. But she was a criminal defense lawyer, and so it was a lot of exposure, like right on, you know, head first, or I don't know what the saying is, but it was like this, it was a lot of exposure, and it was a really good opportunity. I got to like see, you know, being in court and seeing the proceedings going on, seeing how the serious the judge is, and he called my name, and I was stuttering. I was stuttering, I don't know how, but I was nervous. But it was a really good opportunity. And then after that internship ended, I talked to my club, right? You know, I I love to yap. I love to yap to everyone and all the admin, everyone. And so on one of these days, you see, that's how we're on a podcast right now. Yeah, but on one of these days, the board president, like our board members for the club, we have a board president. She came in one day, and I was talking about the interview and about the podcast, and she was like, Oh, how is the internship going? I was like, Oh, it already ended. And she was like, Would you like another internship? I was like, Oh, yes, it was it was a whole nother internship. And this one was an 8:30 to 5. That one was uh, that was a yeah, I was clogging in, clogging out all the time. It was all the way in Edinburgh, like 30 minutes away. Yeah, no, so the whole the rest of the summer I worked at her office as a legal intern, and it was a really amazing experience. I liked it a lot more because she does kind of like, I don't know if it would be business law, but she like handles clients that have businesses, start businesses, get into civil cases with other businesses. So it is like, I guess, business like corporate law, maybe something along those lines. I wouldn't know what to call it, but she she's amazing. She does any type of law because she loves her clients and just getting to work with her. I I think I helped her make like legal handbooks for companies, I helped her make start companies for other clients, and I helped her like meet with other clients that were willing to like interested in her uh being their lawyer. And it was just so good. I and because of that, I want to be a business lawyer as well. So that's what I'm headed to, hopefully.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, for sure. No, I have no doubt that you will get there. And it's really amazing to see that the club has been a part of that and you've been able to gain those internships. And no doubt it's because your personality and just who you are and your resilience and the hard work ethic. Um yeah, no problem. And I just want to thank you for knowing coming on and like talking about all these things, and just thank you guys for listening. And uh, please join us for part two, where we get to learn more about Hamena's journey as national. Thank you all for tuning in. Again, I am Holden, your host. Please like this video and subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcast. Until next time, peace.