Boys & Girls Club Blog

Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh alumna and 2017 Youth of the Year, Hayllie Sorenson, recently took a special trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with Senator Ron Johnson. This rare opportunity came about during the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh’s WineFeast fundraising event in April of last year.

Hayllie shared with a room of over 500 WineFeast dinner guests how the Club changed her life and what her plans were for the future after graduating from high school. She explained she wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts and ultimately be a head chef one day. During the evening, Senator Ron Johnson invited her to come meet with him in Washington D.C. to discuss her career goals and start making her dreams a reality.

Hayllie, and the Club’s Development & Marketing Director Tracy Ogden, flew to Washington, D.C. in June to have a sit down meeting with Senator Ron Johnson and then embarked on a three-day sightseeing tour that included the National Air and Space Museum – Smithsonian Institution, the United States Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall and the National Zoological Park. The highlight of the trip was a behind the scenes tour of the White House and meeting White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Susan Morrison!

“The trip has been mind-blowing.” Hayllie shared. “I am glad I worked so hard to earn this trip. My favorite part was meeting the White House Chef and when she gave me career advice and a White House apron. I will have it forever. I couldn’t be more grateful to Senator Johnson for giving me an opportunity I will never forget. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Last year, as a high school senior, Hayllie Sorenson won the title of the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh’s 2017 Youth of the Year because of her service to Club, community and family, academic success, strong moral character, and public speaking ability. As Youth of the Year, Hayllie was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Boys & Girls Club’s Charles F. Hyde, Jr. Youth of the Year Scholarship Endowment.

Hayllie is currently enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Fox Valley Technical College and will start classes in the fall with the goal of achieving her associate’s degree.