1.31.2013


My Favorite HOBY Experience......

Clint Godwin 
Ambassador Year: 2012
Baconton Community Charter School

While everything about HOBY was amazing, this one memory in particular keeps OUTSTANDING in my mind.  The last official night of HOBY (and my last chance to show who I really am in front of 240+ sophomores) was the variety show. My team/group (GO RED LASERS) knew that I'm in a band and tried to convince me to sing in the show the whole weekend, but I said no repeatedly because I thought no one would like me.  Well, during the intermission of the variety show,  my AMAZING team leader (Adetinpo) convinced me to sing. And though I was nervous and didn't want to, I did. And I'm glad I did.  I feel like I got a pretty good reaction from the others.  In a way, that night changed my life. Since then, I'm not afraid to be myself. To stand out, and be who I'm meant to be: ME.  
Thanks HOBY, for everything y'all did for me, and for making a colossal difference in my life.  I hope that I'm blessed enough to go back for Junior Staff and help make that difference in another shy, quiet, introverted kid. So that he/she can truly be himself/herself without worrying about what anyone around thinks.
My Favorite HOBY Experience....

Savanna Kicklighter

Ambassador Year: 2012
Frederica Academy

My favorite HOBY memory would definitely have to be riding the pony. All week we had heard about the pony, but nobody would spill the beans about what it was exactly. Rumors spread about it, such as it's relation to LaFawnda. When we got in the field and made a circle to ride the pony, it became clear to me what friendship and what HOBY was exactly about- it starts with one. It took one person to start the pony. It takes one person to step out of their comfort zone and make friends, as well as take up the role of leadership. I just remember waiting on someone to pick me to ride the pony, and I remember laughing hysterically with everyone around me as we sang the pony song. It was the perfect way to close our activities, and it was the perfect last bonding moment before we had to go home.

1.28.2013

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Second Edition, January 28, 2013

Featured Alumnus: Taylor Heffner '09
For the past few years I have been involved with HOBY!! What can I say, it is an OUTSTANDING organization to be apart of!! We are all one big family!
I am in my final year at Andrew College, a two year school in South Georgia, working on my Athletic Training degree. You can often find me out on the softball field where I spend most of my time coaching first base for the Lady Tigers. I enjoy every minute of it and would not trade it for the world! Andrew College has made a huge impact on my life along with the whole team and the great coaches and trainers I get to work with everyday!
I can always go back and remember my HOBY roots when I was an Ambassador in 2009. Im feeling old just thinking about it !!

HOBY Info:

Social Networking!!!
  • Find us on Facebook GA HOBY Alumni
  • Follow us on Twitter @HOBY_GEORGIA
  • Feel free to send quotes to lutzofun@gmail.com to be put onto the Twitter page
Junior Staff
  • If you are interested in Junior Staff for GAHOBY 2013, stay on the lookout because those applications will be available mid to late February
Hours
  • Keep logging them! Can you accomplish the 100 Hour Challenge? Georgia HOBY knows that you can.
  • Here is a way to put your volunteerism to work. Keep an eye out for a Facebook event coming soon for a chance to earn some hours, hang with alumni, and support Operation Christmas Child in March
  • Rachel's Challenge: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/:
    How is far has your Chain Reaction of Kindness reached?


This Blog
  • And if you would like a "My favorite HOBY Experience" Blog Post to be posted in the future on this blog then, email lutzofun@gmail.com also with your response!
  • Be on the lookout for the next Newsletter



1.14.2013

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
First Edition, January 14, 2013


Featured Alumna: Heidi Barrs '07

For the last 3 and a half years of my life, I've been at the grindstone, earning my B.S. in Psychology and my A.B. in Sociology at the University of Georgia. For the next two years of my life, I'll be at the grindstone, doing my best to ensure that a handful of Georgia's youth gets the same opportunity that I had. I will also be using my minor in Spanish to bring an excellent education to children of bilingual backgrounds in our state. I've recently accepted an offer from one of Fortune Magazine's Top 100 Employers to work for, Teach For America, to join their Metro Atlanta 2013 Corps. I am indescribably excited to move to Atlanta to start my career and begin work on closing the achievement gap in Georgia.

HOBY Info:

Social Networking!!!
  • Find us on Facebook GA HOBY Alumni
  • Follow us on Twitter @HOBY_GEORGIA
  • Feel free to send quotes to lutzofun@gmail.com to be put onto the Twitter page

Junior Staff
  • If you are interested in Junior Staff for GAHOBY 2013, stay on the lookout because those applications will be available mid to late February 

Hours
  • Keep logging them! Can you accomplish the 100 Hour Challenge? Georgia HOBY thinks you can.
  • Here is a way to put your volunteerism to work. Keep an eye out for a Facebook event coming soon for a chance to earn some hours, hang with alumni, and support Operation Christmas Child in March 

This Blog
  • And if you would like a "My favorite HOBY Experience" Blog Post to be posted in the future on this blog then, email lutzofun@gmail.com also with your response!
  • Be on the lookout for the next Newsletter

  



1.12.2013

My Favorite HOBY Experience....

Benjamin Lutz
Ambassador Year: 2011
Pope High School

My name is Benjamin Lutz and it is very difficult to narrow down the multitudes of joy, leadership, and love that I experienced from HOBY into one moment. I am a 2011 Georgia and WLC alumni and I also was a part of JStaff 2012 for Georgia HOBY. I want to start with the disclaimer that EVERY single moment from HOBY has absolutely touched me and has definitely changed my life for the better.

Being an ambassador at two seminars in of itself has forever altered enhanced my life! However, I feel that having the opportunity as Junior Staff was even better. I remember each event at GAHOBY 2011 very clearly, but I never thought about the work put into making each event happen and happen smoothly. I found this out along with many other amazing "hidden" aspects of HOBY from JStaffing GAHOBY 2012.

I have a much greater appreciation for all the work that each of the members of staff do for a HOBY seminar because of my JStaff experience. I helped coordinate, set-up, cheer, and take down each event. I bonded closer with the people from many different alumni years. I had the chance to meet with many ambassadors. I helped lead the parent closing ceremonies section. I went to bed the latest of any HOBY group and woke up the earliest. I worked with facilitators. I did a lot for the 4 days at GAHOBY 2012, and it would not trade any of that exhaustion for the world.

I knew that I was making the 2012 Ambassadors' experience at HOBY better, smoother, and more impactful by helping smooth out events, by acclimating them to HOBY, and by being their friend. The entire experience reinforced every HOBY value, even with not attending the sessions that introduce them. I am looking forward to another JStaffing experience!