Delilah Maxwell, born and raised in Madison, is known to most as simply “D,” though her sister Mya affectionately calls her Lala and her dad goes with Lila. She’s part of a close-knit family of six and works as a lifeguard at the Madison Aquatics Center, where her scuba certification and her natural athleticism come in handy. Sports tend to come easily to her. One of her proudest achievements was placing 5th at the state tennis tournament, a moment that still stands out. Science is her favorite subject, fueling her curiosity and drive. And for a fun twist: despite her big family, Delilah has just one cousin, a fact that always seems to surprise people.
A mix of quirky charm and confident energy, she gravitates toward blue and never skips Los Tapatios. Her favorite show is Community, and her free time is packed with pickleball, golf, cards, dice, and long walks. TV is essential, and if she had a YouTube channel, it’d feature pet store adventures. Think Joey from Friends: loyal, funny, full of heart. She’d play Josh Kovacs from Tower Heist, choose superspeed as her superpower, and her playlist leans toward rock. Fear doesn’t faze her, and her favorite quote, “Never underestimate the power of a girl with a book,” sums up her unstoppable spirit.
If she could live anywhere, the coast of Spain would be home, where the rhythm of the waves mirrors her love for movement and discovery. Travel is more than a dream; it’s a priority, with a bucket list that spans Spain, Denmark, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, and the Ivory Coast. Given five million dollars, she would invest in exploring the world, advancing her education, and funding future research. She’s on track to study biochemistry and molecular biology in college, aiming to become a genetics researcher. A decade from now, she sees herself deep into a meaningful project, PhD in hand. Her advice to underclassmen is to know who you are, what you love, and what you want before anyone else tries to decide for you.