Five Sophomores Attend HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar

Five Tandem sophomores - Zella L, Shaan M, Anthony M, Georgia C and Elisabeth S - will be in Washington, DC this weekend to attend a Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar. With Athletic Director Dave Levy as their leader (Dave has a long history with HOBY and is a big supporter of their program), these students will spend the weekend in Washington, DC at the HOBY Leadership Seminar - the seminars are hosted by each state for nominated sophomores from 5000 schools in the country. Nationally, HOBY is "a non-profit organization committed to inspiring and developing our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation." HOBY seeks sophomores who are "outstanding communicators, critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, strong decision-makers" and more. During a HOBY Leadership Seminar, leaders from business, education, government, and other professions will talk about the changing world and the challenges future leaders will confront. The program helps students develop critical thinking skills by actively involving them in discussions and informal debate. Participants are challenged to undertake a community service project(s) involving at least 100 hours during the year after their seminar, to make a difference where they see a need. The seminar provides three days and two nights of leadership activities, games, and speakers. Our students should return with the "knowledge and passion needed to make a positive impact on the world around them." 

Our five sophomore seminar attendees spent the first two days of their Emphasis (since Friday would be spent at HOBY) performing service work in the community, with leaders Dave Levy and Chloe Wilson. They spent time at Stepping Stone (provides needed items for families with children under the age of three) and the IRC New Roots Farm (community garden network for refugees and new Americans). They volunteered in two different farm locations for New Roots and got to work with Piedmont Master Gardeners at the  location near Azalea Park.