Tandem Sophomores Attend HOBY Leadership Conference

Seven Tandem sophomores - Claire D, Ruthie W, Lila P, Emory S, Dhruvi G, Elle M, and Derion G - spent last weekend in Washington, DC to attend a Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar. Junior Elisabeth S returned as a junior staff member for HOBY after attending last year. With Athletic Director Dave Levy as their leader (Dave has a long history with HOBY and is the corporate board president for the DC area), these students attended 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. This year, students also performed four hours of service for Bread for the City, DC's largest food pantry. Students should return with the "knowledge and passion needed to make a positive impact on the world around them." 

Our 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).