Soraya Rose named Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is proud to announce Soraya Rose as its 2026 Youth of the Year.

Youth of the Year is the Club’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal setting and teamwork are essential for everyone – especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. The Youth of the Year award is the most prestigious honor that can be earned at the Club, and the winner must go through an application and interview process to be considered. The award is earned, not just given out, as the Youth of the Year plays an integral role in representing the organization as a whole throughout their year-long reign.

Soraya is currently a sophomore at Fond du Lac STEM Academy, is incredibly deserving of this recognition. She has been a Club member since she was in 7th grade and Club staff are so grateful to have her leadership in the Teen Center. Dillon Wiese, Director of Teen Services for the Club, stated “Soraya continuously looks to make others feel welcome by including them in activities and conversation. Being an older Club member at the Boys & Girls Club comes with many privileges and expectations that she has earned and will continue to live up to.”

Soraya, like many other teens, has faced some obstacles and challenges as she navigates her teenage years. When she was asked to write about a challenge she has overcome in her Youth of the Year application essay, she wrote, “A challenge I had to overcome at the Club was mainly opening up to people and staff. When I first started coming to the Club, I didn’t know how to open up so I would either hold a grudge or hide my feelings because I didn’t think anyone would care or listen. Then I became closer to all of the staff; I am always laughing and having fun with them now. I have opened up to most of the staff and I really think they see me for me and there is no one else I can be truly myself around.” 

This past November, Soraya was recognized as the Teen Center’s “Belonging” Youth of the Month as she does a great job at creating a safe and inclusive environment for all Club members (see photo for full testimonial). When asked what the Club means to her, Soraya stated, “To me, Club is a safe and a very supportive space for me and other kids to have fun. Club works hard to make you have a great future ahead of you, by providing different programs, people and staff talking to you about your future.” 

The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is excited to see Soraya taking on this next step in being not only a great Club member, but a leader and role model for the hundreds of other youth who walk through its doors every day. 

For more information about Club programs and how to become a Boys & Girls Club member, click HERE.