Meet Tiffany Xa: A Palm Springs teen who believes in creating paths for those who come after her
The recent PSHS graduate transformed from a young club member into a leader at the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, living by her belief that “we have the power to change the lives around us for the better.”
For 11 years, Tiffany Xa has been a fixture at the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs — first as a young member, now as a leader, mentor, and role model.
You might find her helping younger kids learn to swim, setting up basketball games, mentoring at the Children’s Center, or helping the Club with budgeting and fundraising. Wherever she is, Tiffany shows up ready to help.
A recent Palm Springs High School graduate, Tiffany was named the 2025 Youth of the Year by the Club, earning a scholarship of more than $12,000 funded by the Palm Springs Pathfinders through the Harold and Judy Stack Scholarship Fund. She plans to attend Cal State San Bernardino in the fall to study Business Administration, with an eye toward possibly becoming a forensic accountant.
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“As a leader, I’ve held the hands of those from difficult homes — of people who struggle with finding a place in America,” she said. “We have the power to change the lives around us for the better. I believe it is our duty to create the path for those after us.”
During her high school career, Tiffany maintained a GPA above 4.0, took several AP classes, and logged nearly 300 volunteer hours. She’s also pitched in at Tahquitz Creek clean-up events and led projects through the Keystone Club. Through it all, she says the Boys & Girls Club has helped shape her into the person she is today.
“In addition to the hundreds of hours Tiffany dedicates as a volunteer at the Club, we’ve also been blown away by her commitment to the Club’s solvency by taking charge of budgeting and fundraising tasks,” said Margaret Keung, executive director of the club.
“The Youth of the Year award helps foster a new generation of leaders who are fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse and integrated world economy, and Tiffany’s extraordinary efforts to give back to other youth while excelling in her academics make her extremely deserving of this honor.”
Tiffany credits the club for shaping her leadership skills and sense of purpose.
“My time at the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs has been an incredible adventure,” she said. “It’s a journey that has allowed me to discover myself, lose my way, and find a better version of who I am. The Club has been like a second home, shaping me into the leader I am today and preparing me for whatever lies ahead. They were right — great futures truly do start here.”
Get to know Tiffany below.
Name: Tiffany Xa
Age: 18 on July 5
Occupation: Student
Born and raised? I was born in Fountain Valley, but I remember my childhood mostly take place in Palm Springs and Cathedral City.
Years in the desert: 17
What brought you here? My parents found secure jobs in the desert as nail technicians and moved with my older sister and I here to provide us a better future.
What keeps you here? I’ve grown fond of the simplicity of the desert. It’s not too bust, but not too quiet here. However, I think it’s also the sentimental attachment I have towards the desert and the people that have helped shape me into the person I am today.
Favorite time of the year: Winter
How do you beat the heat? When the heat hits its max during the summer, I enjoy staying at home, cooling down with an ice cream and napping with my two dogs, Milo and Pogo.
Personal philosophy: You will never learn if you never try.
Favorite place to eat: Misaki Sushi & Grill in La Quinta
What’s the biggest issue facing our community? Specifically in my peers, I see that we’ve become more isolated from each other. It’s affected our capacity for empathy and compassion, which are essential traits of being human and a unified community.
Favorite place to go or thing to do: As long as I am with family and friends, I love wherever I am.
Where would you take first-time visitors? I’d absolutely take them on a trip through Downtown Palm Springs, and if it’s Thursday I would love to introduce them to VillageFest!
What’s missing in Palm Springs? As a Vietnamese-American, I do sometimes find myself wishing there were more Asian-based establishments present in Palm Springs, like a dedicated retail store such as Daiso.
Where would you put your walk of fame star in the city? It’d be my first choice to place it somewhere near my parent’s nail salon as a way of honoring my family’s hard work and their contributions to my growth.
What’s your guilty pleasure: Buying sushi after a minor inconvenience as a treat.
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