My first HOBY

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Reflection from June 2004
***HOBY***
Now that I have had a week to reflect and recover from my first Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar, I want to take some time to share my experience with you all. There have been some activities and incidents I left out, but I am mentioning the ones I find so significant I just have to share.

For those of you who don’t know, the Hugh O’Brian youth leadership seminar is a unique experience for high school sophomore students. One and only one student is chosen from hundreds of different schools throughout the region to attend the four day event. The seminar is designed to provide the best of the best, with the information and encouragement to live up to their potential as leaders. These “ambassadors” are challenged to step outside of their comfort zones, challenge themselves and consider their roles in the future.

I was selected to be a senior counselor or facilitator. My role was to be the ghost, hovering in the background, making sure that everyone in my group got where they needed to be safely and in a timely manner. Prior to my selection as senior facilitator, I had assisted with the committee that planned the event. The committee was responsible for designing the program and getting guest speakers. I had organized some of the opening ceremony and one of the panel presentations, which I will detail later.

I was quite anxious when I arrived at theUniversityofNorth Texascampus inDenton. As with many new things I enter in life, I wondered if the new kids would like me. I checked into my college dorm room, changed into my HOBY gray t-shirt and prepared myself for whatever came my way.

As the ambassadors arrived, they were greeted with shouted welcomes and directed to registration. The nervous looks on many of their faces reflected my own uncertainty. I was determined to put those slight feelings of anxiety aside and try my best to make sure this weekend was successful.

The evening began with everyone standing in a large circle. The junior counselor’s (who were the driving energy behind the seminar), were leading chants, cheers, songs, and dances. The spirit was overwhelmingly positive and the participants (including myself) were soon swept up in the action. “Singing in the Rain” and “Wiggle-O” were two most impressive activities, which required everyone to simultaneously act as silly as possible. Everyone complied beautifully.

Crayton Webb, the seminar’s Master of Ceremonies then gave a thought provoking introduction. He remarked that on a tombstone there is a date of birth, a date of death and a little dash representing all the interesting stuff. “What are you going to do with your dash?” You could see the gears starting to turn in the 114, 15-16 year old minds, as well as junior and senior staff.

Soon after we finally met as a team (the Jolly Green Giants we named ourselves). The meeting was facilitated primarily by Amanda, our junior counselor. We went over some basic rules and played “Big Booty”. Everyone still seemed reluctant, but it was, after all, the first night. I hesitate to list my first impressions of the 8 ambassadors as my understanding of them grew and changed throughout the experience. Suffice it to say I could see very different leadership qualities in each one of them immediately. Some were immediately outspoken and gregarious, while others were more reserved and observant. I learned so much from them in our four short days together, for which I will always be grateful.

The next morning started early for staff and ambassadors. I was eager to face the day and see how my group received the expert panels and activities. We marched to breakfast carrying our pink and green flag with pride. Unfortunately we had our flag stolen by another team during breakfast. Plotting to get it back was our first opportunity to pull together as a team.

After breakfast, we began our first long day. The opening speaker was Mark Pearce, a professional weightlifter. His colorful story of overcoming physical difficulties to become a champion was encouraging. Many of my group utilized his phrase “I’m gonna rip your face off” for the remainder of the weekend.

The first panel introduced three expert entrepreneurs. Two of them were older and wore ties, the ambassadors did not eagerly respond to their speeches. The third speaker was a young guy in a comfortable work shirt, they seemed to warm to quickly. After a brief speech the panels would breakout and each speaker would answer questions of smaller groups. A teambuilding activity was also included in most rotations (this was most often their favorite stop). This format would follow for the remainder of the seminar. Two of my group asked questions of almost every panelist. The others were more reticent, but asked questions when the topic motivated them.

I was intrigued by the concept of these young leaders asking whatever questions came to mind of experts, some of whom were quite impressive individuals. I was literally blown away by the next panel. There were two soldiers who recently returned fromIraq, a gentleman who had experienced and survived the Holocaust, and a University of North Texas professor.

I wondered what the ambassadors thought of the story of the mission in Iraq when Sgt. Garcia’s lieutenant was killed. It had a large impact on me, but what must they be thinking? The war inIraqis everywhere in the news and a part of their daily lives. Many of them probably have brothers or sisters or friends inIraq. What did they think of the tale of the Holocaust survivor Mike Jacobs? He spoke so fast, with a thick German accent. Like he had to get the words out before someone could stop him. I devoured them, and it seemed the ambassadors did too. How could they relate to something they have only heard about in history class, if at all? The UNT professor just couldn’t follow such an impressive speaker. When the panels split, there just wasn’t enough time to get all the questions answered. I wanted to ask so many questions myself, but my role was to observe and allow them to have this experience. I was happy to just be able to be there.

The next panel was a high school debate team. The debaters were the same age as the ambassadors, and were pretty impressive young ladies. The topic, which I found difficult to hear, was the idea of legalizing prostitution. I was impressed with how many of them were vocal about their moral beliefs, in front of their peers. This is one reason I believe in the format of the seminar, where each student is from a different school. There is less risk if you know no one, and can say whatever you believe without fear. I am happy to say a majority of them were against legalization.

The fourth panel was interesting, a couple of musicians, who described their passion for music. I could see the group starting to tire. They were interested, but weary. One of the panelists was a former DJ for a radio station that had mysteriously gone off the air recently. I was happy they asked him why (as I was dying to know, but not supposed to ask). It was money.

There was a brief leadership exercise where they picked a leader they admired and listed their characteristics. My group, bless them, picked Peter Pan. They highlighted him, because he set his goals high, dared to dream, encouraged and aided the less fortunate, never gave up, had confidence, overcame obstacles to defeat Captain Hook, and he wasn’t afraid to be different. How insightful! I know many leaders with these qualities.

Then we surprised them with a dance with a DJ! There were more people dancing, jumping and having fun than any other dance I had ever attended. The group was full of energy. They were soon one big sweaty mass of teenagers. Unfortunately during the very last song, one of the junior counselors dislocated his knee trying to do the splits and we had to call the paramedics in to help. I was point of contact for first aid and CPR (thanks to my Red Cross training) and checked to make sure the leg was immobilized and checked him for signs of shock while we waited for the ambulance. While we vacated all the ambassadors, several of the junior counselors were helping to make sure their fallen comrade was comfortable. A sight I found inspiring. These young people were so caring and helped make light of a potentially frightening situation. (Dude, have you ever seen a dislocated knee----yikes!)

That was just the first full day. After the excitement of the night before, everyone was slightly less energized the next morning. The injured JC returned with a knee brace and an emergency room tale, for which he got much attention and ribbing. The morning panels addressed school safety and corporate citizenship, both interesting, but not overly so. After lunch things started heating up (at least in my mind).

There was a media panel, which featured a TV news reporter, a newspaper reporter, a popular radio DJ, and a high school newspaper teacher. The TV reporter had been an ambassador several years before, so her words may have been given more credence. One of my group really lit up when it came to discussing the media and asked a very insightful question. If there was a fire, which would you report about first; the firefighter who put out the fire, or the guy who started the fire? The TV reporter was taken aback, but admitted that the guy who started the fire would be first. Another of my ambassadors really asked good questions in the small groups, I could tell she had a passion for journalism. It then occurred to me that the quiet ones were often quiet because they were introspective (as I tend to be in many situations). They would speak up when they were ready (and they did).

The next panel was one I set up. It was a Salvation Army program that discussed the issue of homelessness. Each person is given a profile and must adopt the situation of a person who is homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless. The profiles were very mature. I was a little upset initially at the laughs they gave when some of the descriptions were read. I felt it was insensitive, but then I remembered that they were just 15-16 years old. Laughter sometimes helps people deal with uncomfortable things. I felt many of them were impacted by the intense experience. They realized that for each and every person they see, there is a different story. And each person they see is human and deserves compassion. I was happy that I played a part in bringing this experience to them.

After dinner that night, each group presented a skit. One of my proudest moments was watching the group develop and then perform the skit. Each and every one of them played a part in developing the ideas. Each and every one of them played several parts in the performance. I loved to watch them work together. They made me laugh so much. Their skit had three parts. The first was top 10 pickup lines. Two of them acted out each couple. They mixed it up and each of them worked with a different person, I felt they showed quit a bit of fairness and cooperation. The second one was top 10 things you never want to do on an elevator. All of them stood together and acted different parts, which were hilarious. The third act was top 10 things you should never do on a first date. They were so original (many other groups did American Idol spoofs and dating game type things). I was so proud.

After the skits, we were honored with the presence of Hugh O’Brian himself. I had met him in the hallway just prior to his entrance. He introduced himself as Gene Autry and thanked me for volunteering. I said that I didn’t think he was Gene Autry, and thanked him for everything else. He proceeded to do several magic tricks for the five or six ambassadors who happened into the hall before greeting the rest of them in the ballroom. The group was so quiet and attentive while he spoke. You could have heard a pin drop. I have to wonder how much of what the ambassadors heard were colored by the amazing experience they could attribute to this man. He spoke about staying in school and living up to their potential as leaders, and not smoking (which he accented with another magic trick).

After Hugh spoke we joined up with one other team and had time for reflections. Many of the sentiments were about their apprehension in coming to the seminar. Some thought it was going to be a bunch of nerds, geeks and dorks. Some feared they weren’t good enough to participate. Both attitudes were adjusted. They realized that they were each there for a reason and they had something valuable to take back to their lives. Each and every one had something to contribute. Unfortunately the mosquitoes cut it quite a bit short.

The final day was bittersweet. It was almost over, but no one wanted it to end (in spite of near exhaustion). We had our final panel about the Patriot act. One of the speakers made my blood boil with her comments about illegal immigrants. One of my ambassadors had a similar sentiment. I told her that it was ok to have strong opinions that differ from others (after the session was over). I appreciated her honesty and fury. That passion for her beliefs will serve her well, I believe.

The ambassadors were then required to write thank-you letters to all the speakers and support staff. I got to play English teacher and help them edit them, which made me very happy. I was even flattered by the comment “I wish you were my English teacher”. Since that is what I am currently aspiring to do, I walked a little taller.

Our final lunch was accentuated with a great deal of laughter. They even had a laughter showdown. Each person had to make the other laugh first. I haven’t laughed so hard, in so long.

The closing speaker was professional comedian Joel Zeff. He had many great messages about teamwork, communication, being positive, and creativity. I was so happy to be there with my group surrounded by their parents and being able to take it all in one last time. It was all over so quickly.

This seminar was just the thing I needed to remember what I love (service, leadership, volunteering, young people). It was such a positive and wonderful experience.

I just wanted to share this with you, the people I care about and admire. There are seminars just like this one happening all across the country and the world. If you want to learn more about the organization, please check-out the web-site www.hoby.org

One last personal note. We passed around a sheet with each person’s name and wrote something nice. Here is what my group said about me:

“You are too cool. Your ability to relate to the youth of HOBY is Outstanding!”

“It’s so cool how you really listen to us. When people talk to you, you make them feel that they matter, Thank you so much for everything”

“You are awesome! Thank you for everything! I will never forget you. Love ya bunches.”

“3 cheers for Lisa! Woot woot! It has been so great getting to kno u these past few days- I don’t kno wut in the world we’d do w/out your MAD organizational skillz, thanks for always keeping us going! Prov. 3:5-6”

“Great sense of humor. Encouraging. Wise and understanding. Kind, compassionate, thoughtful. Thank you so much for your help.”

“You are a great person Lisa. I felt comfortable with you when I did not feel comfortable with others in the group. I had a great time. I hope we can stay friends and keep in touch because you are an awesome person.”

“Thanks for taking a chance and coming out. Logic is the process of coming to the wrong answer with confidence.”

“Lisa, thank you so much for everything you have done for us this weekend. Your words of encouragement and inspiration really mean a lot to me. You’re a great leader and I really appreciate how you took much time out of your busy life to help us grow as leaders. You da bomb.”



“Lisa, wow! Where to start…I guess with a big huge THANKS! I am so glad we were partnered together. This weekend has truly rocked. You are an awesome lady and I am so fortunate I got the chance to get to know you.”



With words like that, is it any wonder I felt so happy and fulfilled by this experience?