Leadership 4 Service Reflections

Leadership 4 Service Reflections

One week ago, our HOBY Texas North student ambassadors came together along with seminar volunteers and various alumni who joined us for the day to give back to our communities.  During this one day, in the middle of our HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar held at the University of Texas @ Arlington, we boarded buses and scattered throughout the DFW Metroplex area to give back to eight different deserving non profits.   These organizations included Crossroads Community Services, Goodwill – Dallas, Goodwill – Irving, Mission Arlington, Seasons for Change, World Visions, YMCA – Metro & The Wildscape.

After grabbing our donated lunches from Zoe’s Kitchen, we boarded the buses and headed out to #DoGood, to give back to those more in need.  We spend time sorted through clothing and household donations, preparing meals for those impacted by the tornadoes in Oklahoma, preparing summer reading kits for children and cleaning up an outdoor nature center, just to name a few areas of impact. Afterwards we can together to reflect on the service that we had given, how it impacted others and how it impacted each of us in a very positive way. 

To honor this day of service – which is an integral part of our four day leadership seminar – the State of Texas recognized Saturday, June 8^th as “HOBY Youth Leadership Day.” 

The feed back that we received and our own reflections demonstrate how important our Leadership 4 Service is both to our communities and to ourselves. Some of the feedback that we received:

“Thank you so much for allowing Goodwill to welcome members of the Hugh O’Brian Youth service program

to two of our store sites last weekend.  Goodwill’s mission is to provide employment and job training for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages.  I spoke with store managers at both our Irving and Westmoreland locations and they shared that these volunteer groups were fantastic. . .I would add that one of my store managers said, “they were the best youth group of volunteers we have ever received!”  That’s quite a review.” -  Goodwill Project Coordinator

"It was really eye opening that this much help was needed, and it's not as hard as it seems when you're working together. It's also a great bonding experience." -Reegan L / 2013 Ambassador

"I thought it was outstanding that thirty-five ambassadors made over eighteen thousand meals today for natural disaster victims." -Jimmy W / Volunteer

At the end of the seminar, our Ambassadors, all high school sophomores, commit to completed 100 hours of community service or Leadership 4 Service hours. They also take time to reflect on how the HOBY Seminar and the service projects have impacted them personally.  Here are just three of the reflections (kept anonymous):

“HOBY has helped me grasp the concept of servant leadership. I've begun to think more about leading for the good of others and about how much of an impact I might make on the world. I've learned to take initiative and not care about what the world thinks of me. Instead, if I am confident in myself, I know that good will come out of it.”

“It's a lot easier to lead and serve than I thought it was. Everyone is sort of looking for guidance whether we

notice it or not and everyone is in need of service. You don't have to always help feed homeless people or do this big project to serve your community.”

“My views have changed in the sense that me, being one person, can do anything that I want to do as long as I have the passion to. All the ambassadors there, as a group, we can change the world with our generations. One small action can make a chain reaction.”

The Largest HOBY HUG in HISTORY!

-->

The LARGEST HOBY HUG in HISTORY!

The Largest HOBY HUG in HISTORY!

Well, we aren’t sure, but as far as we are concerned it is!  Let’s tell you the story. . .

First, let us tell you what a HOBY HUG is.  It is a gesture of kindness, whether in an email, a virtual message, or something inspirational on a piece of paper.  Different seminars do them in different ways. . .and at HOBY Texas North, our volunteer staff decorates larger index cards with drawings, stickers and most importantly, an inspirational message.  These “hugs” are sold for typically $1 during the seminar and people will buy them and give the “hug” to someone special.  It is a wonderful tradition and gesture and we take the money and put it towards the following year’s seminar.

This year, when our LSC was going through the registrations, she noticed that we had an Ambassador coming from West, Texas.  For those who may not know, on April 17^th, a fertilizer plant blew up killing at least 15 people, injuring over 200 more, and destroying many homes in the area surrounding the blast.  She met with the volunteer leadership and decided that this year, instead of taking HOBY HUG money and putting it towards next year’s seminar, they would donate it to a local West, Texas charity that is helping residents recover in the aftermath.  During the weekend, without telling anyone of their plans, they managed to raise close to $300 which ironically is about $1 for every Ambassador, alum and volunteer at the seminar. 

HOBY Texas North "HOBY HUGS"

On Sunday, the plan was to bring the student from West, Texas up on stage to talk about his school and their experience and then to give him, along with his family the check to take back with them to their community.  As the junior staff was told of the plan and started to craft a very large check for the presentation, one young man – himself a HOBY alum who had just graduated from high school the night before, told fellow volunteers “we can do better.”  So with that, they took it upon themselves to make what we believe is the LARGEST HOBY HUG in history!  During the presentation, they went up on stage along with the Ambassador from West, Texas and his family and auctioned it off, raising another $150. . .making it also the MOST EXPENSIVE/VALUABLE HOBY HUG in history!  Rounding up the sales of all of the HOBY HUGS, a total of $500 was donated that day to a very surprised and thankful Ambassador, now an alum of HOBY, to his community in West, Texas.

The point of the story is less about the potential of a record being set, in fact that really isn’t the point at all.  The point is more about defining what HOBY is, what HOBY does, how HOBY impacts.  HOBY is about empowering others through actions, it is about leading while serving others most in need, and it is about excelling in all that we do.  The creativity, passion and empathy. . .and the thoughtfulness of the contribution is what we hope to inspire and when we see it in action, this is our reward.  After serving 1551 volunteer service hours the day before, our volunteers and alumni came back the next day to yet again make a difference.  And the best news of the weekend is that here in HOBY Texas North, we have 200 more OUTSTANDING leaders who are poised and ready to make an impact!

Ambassador Testimony - Jay Person

Being at HOBY has been not only life changing, but it changed my view on things. I have never been quiet nor have I been shy, but I have also never been one to just burst out into cheers and just go up to random people and say hi and give them a hug. HOBY has been an amazing experience, and I am absolutely honored that my school had deemed me worthy to go and represent them. 

One thing that will always stick with me that I have learned from HOBY is having no regrets. You can't control the past, but you can control your present and future. My time at HOBY has been an amazing thing with all of the epically awesome new friends that I have met, and I am hoping that next year, I can come back as a Junior Facilitator and possibly do for others what my JF and SF (Senior Facilitator) have done for me. Now as my time at HOBY has come to an end—for now— so shall this.  As Kara Silvey stated "This may seem like the end, but it is only the beginning."

— Jon-Michael "Jay" Person

Riding Roughly West

The pioneers set forth on a journey west, not sure of the exact destination but knowing that they were searching for someplace better, something better. They gathered their families and what they needed for the long journey ahead and set forth, following the sun during the day and the stars at night. Along the way, they met others from different backgrounds, experiences, talents but with one thing in common, the pursuit of something better. They banded together to overcome obstacles and blaze new trails. One day, on that magical day, they reached the top of the mountain and looked down at the roaring ocean below, realizing that while the physical journey had ended, their journey together, to create a better place, had just begun.

Just over the last four days, 282 outstanding ambassadors, volunteers, speakers and other contributors came together, making this seminar one of our best. We welcomed new friends from large schools and small, public and private. We worked alongside HOBY alum & volunteers from Texas North, Gulf Coast, Florida, Oregon, Kansas, Massachusetts, Iowa and those that went through in the 2000’s, 1990’s, 1980’s and 1970’s. Volunteers ranged from 16 to 80 in age. We discussed subjects ranging from Digital Leadership to Transformational Thinking, Gun Rights/Control to Immigration, and Bullying to Social Responsibility. This is the most diverse group of Ambassadors in the HISTORY of Texas North. We've more returning parents THAN EVER BEFORE. We all came together to learn, listen, laugh, cry, lead, serve, inspire, lean in and move forward. Together, we contributed 1,551 Leadership4Service hours in ONE DAY.

As my fourth year with HOBY comes to a close today, I see myself mirrored in the excited faces of our outstanding ambassadors. It can be said that HOBY took me from east to west in the most profound and life-changing ways, and helping these ambassadors navigate their own paths has been perhaps the greatest joy of my life thus far.

And as we come to the top of our mountain and realize that our physical journey together is coming to an end, we realize this is just the beginning.

HOBY Hugs,
Kara Silvey

Leadership isn't about perfection

When everything goes perfect, it is easy to lead.  However, the true test of character is when things don't go exactly as planned.  Take today for example. . .

We woke up to rain. We can't control weather but rain does make parking and walking more difficult.  Add to that a delay in getting rooms opened up and a miscommunication on a meeting place.  Changes to a schedule.  But these are the times when one must ADAPT, IMPROVISE and OVERCOME because rarely in life does everything work out as planned.  So, we rally the troops, redo the plans and move forward!  And in the end, everything works out.

That is a common theme that we heard throughout the seminar. . .success will not attack you, it won't come find you.  Leadership isn't easy, it takes work.  You need to plan, but even the best laid plans will need to ebb and flow.  But listening to Reflections last night and seeing the Ambassadors and parents today, we are confident that we have an OUTSTANDING group of leaders, each who will find their individual path, opportunity and passion and lead.  Regardless of what life throws at them!

Service Projects Serving the Soul

As any HOBYian knows, community service is a major and fundamental element of our practice as leaders. Today, our ambassadors received first hand this element and took it in as a new passion, even a responsibility. As every team excitedly buzzed in recollection at dinner time this evening, I took the opportunity to grab some of their insight on the topic. Here's what they had to say:

"It was an unbelievable experience. I never thought it would be this rewarding to volunteer." -Alan Diaz

"I'm so blessed to have had that experience because I live here, and I had no idea so many people

were in need." -Jireh Davis

"It was just awesome." -Mackenzie Lawrence

"The experiences I was observing today through my ambassadors were profound. It was the most inspirational moment for me so far." -Angela Lassiter, Senior Facilitator

"It was a catalyst for doing more in my own community." -Olivia Huchton

"It was a really great bonding experience for our group. It helped us come together, work as a team, and benefit a cause larger than we as individuals." -Lakshmi Menon, Junior Facilitator

"It was really eye opening that this much help was needed, and it's not as hard as it seems when you're working together. It's also a great bonding experience." -Reegan Ledet

"It was really rewarding today. I wrote letters, which was really cool because some family in Oklahoma will open one and get emotional support from me, even though I live in another state." -Chase Denson

"It opened up my perspective on the world as a whole and is motivating me to engage in service opportunities on my own." -Helene Weideman

"It made me appreciate the things I have instead of envy the things I don't have." -Madison Rayford

"I feel like a better and nicer person." -Jaeidah Reed

"I thought it was outstanding that thirty-five ambassadors made over eighteen thousand meals today for natural disaster victims." -Jimmy Walsh, Junior Facilitator

"I think it's crazy that in just five hours, our group was able to impact a ton of people just by working together." -Klara Keim

"It was a humbling experience." -Hannah Roberts

"It showed me that different people who are commonly motivated can work together better than they did individually." -Austin Smith

"Helping others in turn helped myself." -Kimberly Owen

"I loved that it's more about leading by example and working hard to see great things happen." -Brock Holman, Senior Facilitator

"I gave all I had and got more in return!" -Chris Scaggs

Clearly, our ambassadors have gotten a taste of that sweet service glory and are getting ready to return home and implement new, altruistic habits in their life. And HOBY couldn't be happier; these

leaders are only just beginning their run with the ripple effect.

HOBY Hugs,
Kara Silvey

Why is Leadership 4 Service important?

Sorry folks. . .long but #OUTSTANDING day today giving back to our local communities!!  Today, HOBY Texas North Ambassadors and volunteers contributed 1,551 service hours to eight worthy non profit organizations across the DFW area!  More on those later. . .

But someone emailed us and asked "why is L4S important to HOBY?"  Great question!

Our goal is to help our young men and women to understand that their time and ability to lead starts not when they go off to college, find a job, start a family. . .it starts now.  And leadership isn't always at the head of the class or leading a group or project in the traditional manner.  Sometimes leading is setting an example or serving others.  One of our speakers made the reference to St. Francis of Assisi.  He said "regardless of what religion you are, the lesson is valuable".   St. Francis once said "preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."  Taken in the context of leadership, you could say "be a leader at all times and when necessary, use words" meaning lead by example.  By serving others who are in need, we set an example for others and in that way, we lead.

Our volunteer staff is busy uploading photos and taking notes.  We think that they will have enough energy to make a couple of posts before lights out. . .but we aren't promising anything!  ;)

One of our favorite inspirations!

You were not born to be average, normal or typical
You were not born a carbon copy.
You were born unique, born to excel, born to manifest the glory of the universe in your authentic truth.
You are not weak.
You are stronger than you imagine, wiser than you know, and have vast powers that you have yet to actualize.
Stop playing small.
Be YOU. Tell your truth - now, today, this very moment.
Manifest your true self - not a poor reflection of your circumstance.
Don’t walk through this world unconscious of your greatness, sleep walking, surrendering your light to the bland grey around you.
You were born to be brilliant,
To be light,
To be fire.
Infuse your glory into this moment, into your choices, into your deeds, into the habits you create.
Consciously choose.
Choose your body through conscious consumption,
Choose your attitude, through conscious thought
Choose your destiny by being present right now – for remember: Mindful moments multiplied, totally transform tomorrows
Today choose integrity, choose discipline, choose joy, choose joy, choose joy.
Rejoice in your blessings AND, most importantly, know that EVERYTHING is a blessing.
And your blessings are rich soil.
So choose to grow into the boldest, proudest, most glorious version of YOU.
You were born for this.

(courtesy of Cory Booker)

John Johnson inspires HOBY Ambassadors to control their destiny

John Johnson and his co-host, Dr. Estella joined HOBY ambassadors via satellite from NYC to inspire them to take control, to take personal responsibility for their own lives, their own happiness and their own destiny.  John was a producer with the Oprah show and now co-hosts a radio show of his own.   Below is some of his thoughtful advice to all. . .

“You are beautiful. Your beauty, just like your capacity for life, happiness, and success, is immeasurable. Day after day, countless people across the globe get on a scale in search of validation of beauty and social acceptance. Get off the scale! I have yet to see a scale that can tell you how enchanting your eyes are. I have yet to see a scale that can show you how wonderful your hair looks when the sun shines its glorious rays on it. I have yet to see a scale that can thank you for your compassion, sense of humor, and contagious smile. Get off the scale because I have yet to see one that can admire you for your perseverance when challenged in life.”

“It’s true, the scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. That’s it. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength, or love. Don’t give the scale more power than it has earned. Take note of the number, then get off the scale and live your life. You are beautiful!”

“There were people who went to sleep last night, poor and rich and white and black,
but they will never wakeup again. And those dead people would give anything at all
for just five more minutes of this weather or ten minutes more of being stuck in traffic, or a full days list of hard work. So be careful about complaining. What you're supposed to do when you don't like something is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. That’s the universal law about change.”

“LIVE TODAY!. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments. Don’t rent them out to tomorrow. Do you know what you’re doing when you spend a moment wondering how things are going to turn out? You’re cheating yourself out of today. Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you’re stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain. You wake up the next morning and that today you wasted is gone forever. It’s now yesterday. Some of those moments may have had wonderful things in store for you, but now you’ll never know.”

“Friends help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is. I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. The opportunity to be ME. Showing me real love. I mean, let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.”

—John Johnson, Host of LA Talk Radio’s Hit Show - LIVE Today with John Johnson & Friends and nationally syndicated columnist for LIVE and W Magazines.

Sticks and Stones

Just minutes ago, our ambassadors witnessed a very special, staff-directed program called Sticks and Stones. This segment addresses the bullying issue that has plagued our schools and young people's hearts. "Words are used to build a person up or break a person down," stated a staff performer, "Open up to be the change you want to see." As the performers then recalled personal experiences with bullying, ambassadors all over the room connected to a grand movement, a movement to end discrimination and to lead their peers into ways of kindness and tolerance. Ambassador Jon-Michael Person says he feels more aware of other people while Natalie Ferguson claims, "We need to be the ones to make a difference, not the next person." Their fellow ambassador, Prawal Sharma, said, "It was an eye-opening experience. It enlightened me in a way that surpasses spiritual cognition." Being one of the many pivotal points in our program, Sticks and Stones has certainly done its job— pushing a generation of profound minds to a greater potential.

HOBY Hugs,
Kara Silvey

Small group time

Every year, we take a survey of our Ambassadors and ask what they think of their HOBY experience and over 95% rank it OUTSTANDING!  We then ask "what would you like to see different next year" and inevitably, they say "MORE SMALL GROUP TIME!"

So what is "small group time"?  Well, each of our Ambassadors is part of a group, one of twenty groups at HOBY Texas North this year.  Each group starts at "Group J" or "Group O" but soon becomes "Justified Jackaroos"or the "Outrageous Outlaws" (remember, our theme this year is #RidingRoughlyWest).

During the downtime in between speakers, panels and leadership activities, the small groups find a quiet space and reflect on what they have heard.  They share their thoughts, their stories, their ideas. Sometimes one person in the group teaches the others a game, conversation is lighthearted and fun - sometimes much deeper.  But the connections that are made are a very important part of the HOBY experience!

Group Cheers!

Legend has it that Hugh O'Brian at age 16 was the youngest drill sergeant in the history of the Marine Corps.  Whether true or not, I am sure they did quite a few "cheers" but none as fun as the "HOBY Cheers" that we do. 

Of course, when someone first gets to HOBY and hears the cheering, it is easy to think "did I just arrive at a 'cheer camp'?"  And why do we do all of these cheers?!

Our Ambassadors and volunteer staff are together for a little under four days, and are going strong from 7am when they wake up until lights out at 11pm.  Cheers accomplish a few different things. . .

1. It gets us moving and gets the blood flowing.  Sitting and listening to speakers and participating in activities is fun, but we need to jump around, scream and shout, and make sure that we stay ALIVE, AWAKE, ALERT and most importantly ENTHUSIASTIC!

2. It shows how the group can be more creative together.  Many of the cheers that we do are "time honored" but when small groups make up their own cheers, it can be a fun way to get the group working together.

3. Cheering can be the "great equalizer"!  Seriously, we don't have days, weeks or months for people to feel comfortable with each other. . .we need to get there quickly, break down barriers and not be afraid to look or sound foolish - otherwise we won't participate and contribute to our capabilities.

Here is one of our "small groups" outside during a break practicing their cheer. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNbtCzUEpi8&feature=youtu.be

Puja Maharaj & Summer Elmazi: Responsibility Vs. The Law

Ambassadors are officially fired up about leading themselves and their groups! This morning, HOBY had the privilege of welcoming old friends Puja Maharaj and Summer Elmazi into an intimate discussion followed by a mock trial in which the ambassadors nominated their representatives and debated a made-up case. The ambassadors found this activity to be comforting as acceptance and respect was shared among them. Ambassador Hailey Green remarked, "it's so cool that we can share our opinions without hostility, but with calmness. We can speak our minds and then let it brush off our backs." Her peer, Lexi Lassiter, added, "people did try to persuade others but without forcing their views upon them." 

Getting ready for mock trials

 

Having not met before, yet relating to one another, the girls agreed it was both the biggest and calmest group discussion they've ever had and very unlike the experiences had in their hometowns. How OUTSTANDING is it that our ambassadors are finding their niche with us? The best is yet to come!

HOBY Hugs,

Kara Silvey

Tim Lyons: The Power of You

Friday morning could not have begun more powerfully for our 200+ ambassadors as they were treated to the professional perspective of keynote speaker Tim Lyons, President of Haggar Clothing Co.  Passionate about motivating youth, Tim challenged his listeners to THINK: "To Habitually Increase Necessary Knowledge." He talked about "building a personal board of directors". . .2-3 people older than you who have been through what you are going to to through, 2-3 people your own age, peers that can identify with you, and 2-3 people who are younger than you and have "youthful enthusiasm."  Tim told us to "write down your goals every year" and talked about he writes out a 3" by 5" card every January with his top goals and he keeps them close so he can measure how he does.  He also urged our Ambassadors to designate their time to live a purposeful life. He thoughtfully said, "People that spend the time complaining about how the world treats them haven't spent time thinking about how to treat the world." 

As leaders, our ambassadors are encouraged to meet these goals for both themselves and those they will influence in the future. As staff, we are beyond encouraged, for these two hundred enthusiastic bodies are indicating a POWERFUL future!

HOBY Hugs,

Kara Silvey

A.C. Cristales: Believe, Invest, Go After It!

HOBY 2013 is starting BIG! On our stage for his third consecutive year, A.C. Cristales won the hearts of our ambassadors with his upbeat and humor-drenched wisdom last night in the Rosebud Ballroom of UT Arlington. After dropping a few beats, A.C. spoke on a valuable topic that he experienced first-hand and is now passionately conveying to young people in the area: Believing, Investing, and Going after dreams worth seeking. A.C. asks our ambassadors to begin a revolution in their communities by first finding a revelation in themselves... Our youth are passionate. Our youth are capable. Our youth are on the brink of something B.I.G.!

HOBY Hugs,
Kara Silvey

HOBY Day One - Reflections

Well, they are here!  Our volunteers and Ambassadors have arrived, checked it, gone through orientation, had dinner, and have "Survived" their first day of programming.  By this time, everyone is in their beds, bed checks have been completed and the volunteer staff are down in the break room going through the days events and making changes to ensure that things run smoother.  

Today was a pretty jammed pack day!  Many of our Ambassadors had to travel five, six even seven hours to be here and then were up until just recently.  I think I need more beauty sleep than that!  But they definitely are bonding, and they are definitely engaged.  Our LSC, Karen and next year's LSC, Lisa walked everyone through orientation before heading off to dinner.  Our Ambassadors, many for the first time, got to experience a college dining experience.  Yum!  Actually, it hit the spot and gave everyone energy for the evening's activities. 

 

We started with learning about the SOCIAL CHANGE MODEL. . .our personal responsibility, our ability as a group to have an impact and finally, our role within society.  We watched the HOBY Story and then had our three keynote speakers.

AC Cristales started and told us that "Life is hard, success is made up of the failures that you make and how you overcome them."  He talked about taking responsibility every day for ourselves. . ."If your dreams are big enough and important enough, then invest in them yourselves."  He overcame diversity and graduated from high school a 17, college three years later and a masters degree at 23.  

After A.C., we moved to John Johnson and Dr. Estella Snieder, noted radio hosts and TV personality who is who joined us via live statelite speed from the Red Carpet in NYC.  They are there attending women in film.  They encouraged us to consider the actions that we are taking today, the people that we connect with, the things we put in our bodies and are we making the right decisions possible.  

Finally, we ended with HOBY favorite, Sandrea Shields and director and mentor with Big Brothers  Big Sisters.  She shared with us her experiences and the need for each of us to find mentors and mentees.  Help others and let others help you.

The ambassadors are now tucked in bed and the paperwork begins.  But come morning time, we will be #Alive #Awake #Alert #Enthusiastic and ready for more!!

Twas the night before HOBY. . .

There are over 70 on site volunteers, various board members and contributors, a couple dozen participants and speakers who are all feverishly working to put the final touches on the 2013 HOBY Texas North Seminar. Trust me, even at 11:35pm, there is still packing to be done, badges to be printed, supplies to be boxed up.  And each person is thinking about their place, their role in making this weekend OUTSTANDING!  But truth be told, as much as we do this for the young leaders that will arrive tomorrow afternoon, we do this for ourselves.  We do this because we learn from each other & we are recharged when we see what the next generation is capable of.  Without permission (though I am sure he would grant it), here is a Facebook post from one of our alum/volunteers:

"HOBY weekend is truly an annual reset for me. I'm entering a world created by a dream; executed by 40 staffers I respect, 20 colleagues who help develop me, and over 200 HS sophomores, living in an entirely different world than my own, who teach me who I am. It's beyond amazing. It's a privilege. It's my favorite thing in the entire world. It's a parallel Outstanding World (with all the required challenges to push the amazing perspectives). I'm blessed. I owe it to ALL to be open and me at my most genuine. And I must listen and learn...and always grow. I love this all. It's Personality Growth: The Annual Series. Ever seen 16yos in their same moment in life...and seen it newly repeated 18 years over and again? It's my mental and emotional CrossFit. Love you guys. This is going to be outstanding." - Aaron Yeats, HOBY alum & volunteer

My HOBY Story by Khalil Coffield

In the 10th grade I had one of the best opportunities in my life that I never would have ever thought would change my life. As a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program I was able to attend HOBY on a full ride and also a chance to attend HOBY World Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois. 

When I first got to HOBY Texas North I did not know what to expect and one of the things I thought was crazy was that the seminar only lasted for three days when I have been to leadership conferences that have lasted for weeks. I didn't think that I would have the same good experience that I would have at my other conferences.

The day I arrived at HOBY I met Kara Silvey and there were a ton of ambassadors like myself already on the campus of TCU doing cheers. She took a moment to ask my name, then she introduced me to everyone by screaming "Hey HOBY, this is Khalil".  I stood there thinking to myself "These people are crazy!". 

On that day my cousin dropped me off and all I wanted to do was go back home because i didn't know anyone and I thought everyone at HOBY knew each other. Long story short I stayed for the entire seminar.

HOBY has really changed my life for the better and has also inspired me to do great things in my life by reaching out to other people and starting my own Anti-Bullying organization called "Don't Lose Hope" where my goal has been to reach out to bullied teens and prevent them from committing suicide. 

I can't say I would be where I am today if it wasn't for HOBY being a part of my life. It is an honor to come back as a volunteer and be able to give the ambassadors a great experience of HOBY and I enjoy doing it. HOBY is empowering you people to get out and lead others to excel in life. HOBY is OUTSTANDING. 

This is my HOBY story and I can't wait to see yours !

All my best,

Khalil Coffield