Boys & Girls Club in Nashua Hosts Youth of the Year Celebration

NASHUA, N.H. – On May 8, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua (BGCN) hosted its annual Youth of the Year & Hall of Fame Celebration. The event brought together over 250 Club members, families, and supporters to highlight the unique accomplishments of the exemplary young people the Club serves.

Xiadani De Le Lima, 17, was honored as the Club’s 2024 Youth of the Year and was announced as the New Hampshire State Youth of the Year. She will now go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national competition as New Hampshire’s representative. Hall of Fame inductees included Linda and Rich Lovering, longtime Club volunteers and community leaders; Dr. Robert Moheban, founding Club board member and lifelong supporter; and Joe Maryanski, Club alum and former staff member who impacted thousands of lives.

“The power of our Club lies in the support we receive from the community,” says Craig Fitzgerald, Executive Director of BGCN and former Club alum. “We were honored to induct Linda and Rich Lovering, Dr. Moheban, and Joe Maryanski into our Hall of Fame. We are especially proud of the amazing accomplishments of our Club members this year and are excited to root Xiadani on at the regional Youth of the Year competition. Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate with us, and a special thank you to BAE Systems, our lead event sponsor.”

Special to this year’s event, the Club announced the public launch the Power of YOUth capital campaign. This campaign has a goal of raising $10 million, which will increase the Club’s capacity to deliver safe and affordable child care, mental health support, and will scale the impact of its Club programming. The Club has currently raised $6.2 million of the $10 million target. Funds raised will allow the Club to update infrastructure and enhance safety and security capabilities, expand the Club’s open-air footprint and outdoor program spaces, and grow the Club’s endowment for future sustainability.

Prior to the 2024 Youth the Year announcement, the Club honored a Scholar of the Year, Artist of the Year, Athlete of the Year, Mighty Mind of the Year, Camp Mariposa Camper of the Year, Early Learning Center Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year. Sean McDonald, WMUR-TV News/NH Chronicle Anchor, served as the event’s emcee.

To learn more, volunteer or make a donation to the Power of YOUth campaign, visit www.bgcn.com.

About Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua

A community hub for more than 50 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua (BGCN) works with partners to bridge gaps in access to learning, mental health counseling, athletics, and mentorship for young people, ages 6 weeks to 18-years-old. The nonprofit offers families of all backgrounds year-round, affordable childcare, youth development programs and individual services, along with daily healthy meals and snacks, and transportation to and from the Club at no additional cost. This year, BGCN will serve 1,500 Club kids as well as an additional 5,000 community members who utilize the organization’s sports and recreational facilities. To learn more, visit: www.bgcn.com.