Afternoon Tea 2026

Please help us celebrate the young ladies of the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh!

Every summer, girls ages 7-9 participate in a special empowerment program taught by Club staff and partners from throughout the community. The Character & Empowerment program encourages them to be proud of the unique people they are and helps them develop positive character and leadership skills.  

Afternoon Tea is a special opportunity to connect with Club members, celebrate their achievements, and hear firsthand how the Club impacts their lives. Women from the community are invited to join our inspiring Club girls on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Gibson Social Club for an elegant afternoon of tea, punch, and a delightful light lunch.

Together, we will honor and congratulate our Club girls on completing the empowerment program. Guests are encouraged to embrace the occasion by wearing brightly colored suits and dresses, complemented by hats and gloves. We look forward to sharing this memorable experience with you!

A short program will feature inspiring words from a special guest speaker: Willow Newell, Miss Wisconsin 2025.

Willow Newell, hailing from Racine, Wisconsin, made history this past June by becoming the first Black woman crowned Miss Wisconsin. A recent graduate of Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater, Willow is thrilled to embark on a statewide journey to connect with Wisconsinites and champion her Community Service Initiative: The ART of Belonging.

The ART of Belonging aims to educate all, young and old, on the importance of providing inclusive opportunities in accessing the arts. Willow hopes to do so through community connections, resources and elevating stories of how the arts have impacted the lives of so many. Including art in a person’s life can help foster soft skills such as creativity, communication, and collaboration, along with gaining confidence and providing opportunities for success. The ART of Belonging also works to showcase how the being involved in the arts has helped people find a community and a since of purpose. Willow has created a series where she interviews individuals in her community about how the arts has impacted their lives.

At the 2025 Miss Wisconsin Competition, Willow captivated the judges by earning two preliminary awards: first for her powerful vocal performance of “And I Am Telling You” from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, and secondly for her elegant evening gown presentation. Willow also won many additional scholarships throughout the week.

Willow is no stranger to the stage. She participated in the Racine Theater Guild and played the lead role of Dion in Hair in 2022 at Carthage College. Willow hopes to continue her musical passions by continuing acting, writing and hopes to find a career in directing award-winning theater and film.