Aaliyaha Liedke named Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is proud to announce Aaliyaha Liedke as its 2024-25 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.

Liedke, a sophomore at Fond du Lac High School, is incredibly deserving of this recognition. She has been a Club member since elementary school and is currently enrolled in the organization’s Be Great: Graduate (BGG) program, which has provided her with the support needed to significantly improve her academics and start achieving her goals. As a result, she is on track to graduate high school early.

Maggie Ford, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission for Marian University, presents Aaliyaha Liedke with a scholarship to attend the university.

Liedke has also shown passion for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within her school walls. She has talked with teachers and is learning how to start a DEI Club at school to speak on these matters. Ashly Steger, graduation specialist for the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac’s BGG program, stated “I believe that Aaliyaha has tremendous potential as a student and as an advocate for DEI rights. I am confident that she would be an asset to representing the Boys & Girls Clubs anywhere.” 

When asked what the Club means to her, Liedke stated, “I would call the Boys & Girls Club my second home, and I know it feels that way for a lot of kids. For years the Club has been a comfortable, safe, family environment I am happy to be a part of. I have been a part of the Club since 1st grade and have looked up to many of the staff as role models as I continued to grow into the person I am today.” 

Since 2014, Marian University has been graciously awarding the Club’s Youth of the Year winner with a four-year scholarship to attend the university if they wish to do so. The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is thrilled to see Liedke taking on this next step in being not only a 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.