HOBY Experience
“The Pink Group.” Counselors are standing on the far left and right.
June 8, 2017
Have you ever heard of HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership)? Probably not. I didn’t until two other students told our class about it. As soon as I heard about it, I knew this was something I wanted to do. I was signed up very early, so I had a long wait. Every month, I would receive emails and I really didn’t know what I was getting into, to be honest. Let’s flash ahead a few more months.
Waking up at five and having to drive two hours for this didn’t motivate me all that much. In fact, I was more worried about leaving my job for a whole
weekend than about what was going to happen. “What if someone can’t work?” “What if they don’t have any dishwashers show up?” I totally forgot the point of this. In fact, I didn’t even think about HOBY until I was actually signed in and in my room. That’s when it all hit me. I walked out and two people were trying to gather us around to learn chants. I was like “Oh my lord.” The counselors were singing a chant and I just clapped along, telling myself “I’m ok with this clapping, but I am not ok with this chanting.”
Then, we were moved into another building and introduced to our groups. It was me and two other students, Abbie and Jasmine. Our poor counselor who was only 23 years old was doing everything she could to make small talk. Let me just say, I hate icebreakers. So I acted like I was into it, but I wasn’t. Then, once the program started, the counselors were chanting once again, trying to get us into it. For example this “Outstanding chant”: “O-U-T.. S-T-A-N-D… I-N-G..OUT OUT OUTSTANDING!” I wasn’t feeling outstanding being up since five in the morning. I wondered “Why, what motivated me to join this?” People began to speak, saying “After this you will be a different person.” I thought to myself “There is no way I’m going to change like these crazy people.” I was interested in hearing the people speak and I asked them many questions. I thought, “Ok, this will be a learning experience but I am still not going to change.” Towards the end of the night, we performed skits they wanted us to do and I recall thinking to myself, “Ohhhhhh my gosh, what have I gotten into now?” But it actually was really fun! I met a lot of more people who are into acting just like me. In fact, we ended up playing improv games that I feel brought me out of my original Hunter into a new me. We ended up getting back to our dorms at around 11:30. Our group already had a group chat that was started so we were texting each other.
On the second day, I felt more open. I felt ok to chant or dance in front of everyone, because I knew that I wouldn’t be judged either way. And I loved it! I had so much fun. We ended up hosting a cleanup in the cemetery where we raked up many leaves. I had so much fun doing it as well! It brought us outside and doing something for the community. Nothing too much more special happened until dinner time. A man named Sebastian from South Sudan came into speak to us. He escaped during an attack and came to America to get an education. His story motivates many people on due to the fact that he was advocating for women’s rights. And he traveled back after getting an education and built a school for girls and boys. I don’t think I will ever take my education for granted again.
When the third day came, I already started to feel it: the anxiety of having to leave. I knew it was coming, but I didn’t want to have to leave. My group had turned into family and many other friends I made I would miss. Many of us talked and we said we wanted to come back and be junior staff next year. That was something I really want to do. At the luncheon, I was told about ten minutes beforehand that I had to give a speech about my experience. It was like these people knew that I loved motivational speaking and public speaking. I gave about a six minute speech and I think it went very well. Afterwards I had twenty plus people tell me “very good speech” etc. I was so amazed with this experience. I look to try and be able to attend the world leadership. Thanks to everyone! I would recommend this to every future sophomore.
Sydney Ace • Jun 12, 2017 at 10:42 am
I can totally relate to what you were thinking when you first got there. I went back outside after checking into my room and everyone was yelling and dancing and I was just thinking “What the heck”. I did not think I’d be dancing or doing the cheers, but by the end of that day, I was joining in all of them. It was so much fun, I’m glad you enjoyed it!