08/03/2026
A Letter from the Associate Director
As the Rock County Fair comes to a close, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
Fair week has always held a special place in my heart. As the Associate Director of CASA of Rock County, I spend much of my time focused on the children we serve and the work that happens behind the scenes. But fair week gives me something different. It gives me the opportunity to simply connect with children and families from across our community, to celebrate them, and to be reminded of just how incredible the young people of Rock County truly are.
What an incredible week it has been.
Over the past several days, we had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful children, families, and community members. We colored hundreds of pictures, shared countless smiles, celebrated creativity, and had conversations that reminded us just how special this community truly is.
One of my favorite parts of the week was seeing familiar faces. So many children came back to visit us day after day, excited to color another picture, tell us about their adventures at the fair, or simply stop by to say hello. Some even remembered us from years past.
Those moments meant more than they probably realize.
Watching a child run toward our booth with a huge smile, eager to tell us about their day, is something our team won’t soon forget. By the end of the week, it felt less like we were saying goodbye to visitors and more like we were saying goodbye to friends.
To every child who visited us, thank you for brightening our week. We loved hearing about the animals you showed, the projects and exhibits you worked so hard to create, and celebrating your ribbons, awards, and accomplishments alongside you. Being able to share in your excitement and cheer you on made our week even more special.
One of the things that makes me the proudest is seeing our community embrace CASA year after year. Whether you stopped by to color, ask a question, learn about our mission, volunteer your time, or simply say hello, you reminded me that this community cares deeply about its children. That support means more than you know, and it gives me great hope for the future.
As we packed up the booth today, I realized I was a little sad. After spending the week seeing so many smiling faces every day, it was hard to say goodbye.
So, to every child who shared a story, every parent who stopped to chat, every grandparent who proudly showed us a ribbon, every volunteer who gave their time, and every community member who made us feel so welcome…thank you.
I hope each of you enjoys these last few weeks of summer. Good luck as you head back to school. Keep being kind, keep working hard, and keep believing in yourselves. We will be cheering you on from afar.
Until next year, Rock County.
With gratitude and pride,
Nikky Engleson, MSW
Associate Director
CASA of Rock County
