5.31.2016

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Sixty-Sixth Edition, May 31, 2016

Featured Alumna: Onyeka Zatta Aniemeka '10

     They say everything happens for a reason. Not only do I walk in this philosophy, but I stride in it. I was born on a peninsula in Nigeria, where I spent my youngest years. By grace, I was fortunate enough to move to the states, mostly for my studies and I have spent my formative years here. I tried to stay active in school, always looking for a way to get ahead. When my advisor told the class about HOBY, I missed the deadline. When I went back with my application, they told me an ambassador has already been chosen. Now, I am many things, and persistent is one of them. So in true fashion I respectfully stalked the administration at my high school until they agreed to send 2 ambassadors. Who knew that the summer of 2010 would change my life? I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am to HOBY for all the wonderful people I have met, the amazing lessons I have learned, the outstanding ambassadors that humbly me each summer, and the overwhelming sense of community we have as an organization.
     I am currently 22 and a rising senior at Kennesaw state University. I am majoring in international affairs as well as public relations. I currently hold the Event Coordinator position at Carl Black Automotive, Kennesaw division. With a schedule that can be intense at times, I always choose to make time in my summer for HOBY. For an organization that has thought me so much about others and myself, I will always be thankful. I have volunteered and served for the last five years, only missing one due to work, and faithfully returning as a facilitator this year! Also, I am happy to announce that I have accepted a facilitator position with HOBY CT (Connecticut) as well. I am hopeful and anxious to see what this organization has in store for me this year, and frankly, the rest of my life.

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile
    • If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-2861279). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice.
    • Choose HOBY Georgia (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) as your charity!
    Social Networking!!!
    • Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
    • Follow us on Twitter: @GA_HOBY  
    • Follow us on Instagram: hoby_georgia
    • Follow us on Vine: Georgia HOBY
    • Follow us on SnapChat: hobygeorgia
    • Check our the website: www.gahoby.org
    • Check out our YouTube channel: HOBY Georgia
    • Check out http://hobycheers.wikidot.com/list-of-hoby-cheers for awesome cheers
    Hours
    • Keep logging them! Can you accomplish the 100 Hour Challenge? Georgia HOBY knows that you can. Here is the place to do so: https://reg.hoby.org/HOBYL4S/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fHOBYL4S%2f
    • Need ideas for Volunteering projects? Email gahobyalumniadvisor@gmail.com, check the HOBY website: hoby.org, and/or research into what your community needs!
    • How far has your Chain Reaction of Kindness reached?
    This Blog
    • If you would like post a "My Favorite HOBY Experience" in the future on this blog, then email gahobyfundraising@gmail.com also with your response!
    • Be on the lookout for the next Newsletter or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post

    5.22.2016

    Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
    Sixty-Fifth Edition, May 22, 2016

    Featured Volunteer: Kyle Niemann (First Seminar '12)

    While attending Auburn I became friends with Shawn Mills. He eventually met his now wife Hilary. I always heard Hilary talking about HOBY and wearing her HOBY shirts. As I learned more it seemed more and more like something I wanted to get involved in. My first seminar was in 2012 and I remember on the drive home getting hit with an incredible feeling. We refer to this feeling as a “HOBY high”. I didn’t know what to expect my first time around as a facilitator, but all I knew was I wanted to keep coming back. While I never experienced HOBY as an Ambassador I have been lucky enough to keep coming back and watching the Ambassadors grow into the outstanding people they are today. I was also recently added to the Corporate Board as GA HOBY’s secretary and I am thrilled to be more involved with this organization and the direction we are going! 

    HOBY Info:

    Amazon Smile
      • If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-2861279). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice.
      • Choose HOBY Georgia (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) as your charity!
      Social Networking!!!
      • Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
      • Follow us on Twitter: @GA_HOBY  
      • Follow us on Instagram: hoby_georgia
      • Follow us on Vine: Georgia HOBY
      • Follow us on SnapChat: hobygeorgia
      • Check our the website: www.gahoby.org
      • Check out our YouTube channel: HOBY Georgia
      • Check out http://hobycheers.wikidot.com/list-of-hoby-cheers for awesome cheers
      Hours
      • Keep logging them! Can you accomplish the 100 Hour Challenge? Georgia HOBY knows that you can. Here is the place to do so: https://reg.hoby.org/HOBYL4S/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fHOBYL4S%2f
      • Need ideas for Volunteering projects? Email gahobyalumniadvisor@gmail.com, check the HOBY website: hoby.org, and/or research into what your community needs!
      • How far has your Chain Reaction of Kindness reached?
      This Blog
      • If you would like post a "My Favorite HOBY Experience" in the future on this blog, then email gahobyfundraising@gmail.com also with your response!
      • Be on the lookout for the next Newsletter or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post

      5.10.2016

      Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
      Sixty-Fourth Edition, May 10, 2016

      Featured Alumnus: Caleb Siler '12
      I remember the first time I heard about HOBY. I was pulled into the counselor’s office of my high school, and I was told I had been selected to attend this thing called HOBY that upcoming summer. I agreed to going without really knowing fully what I was getting myself into. I spent the rest of my second semester of sophomore year with HOBY far back in my mind. Finally, the day before the first day of HOBY arrives and I do not want to go. I end up calling my friend who had gone through the experience before so he could give me some reason to want to go. He said something along the lives of, “HOBY is full of unicorns, you will fit in perfectly.” 

      This response turned out to be very true in many ways:

      •  1. Everyone at HOBY has magical powers
      •  2. They are fabulous beyond belief
      •  3. And, at HOBY, we all ride the pony, a close ancestor to the unicorn. 

      However, in all seriousness, if I had said no to going to HOBY, I would not be the person I am today. Today I am attending Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee where I study theatre and film. The performing arts have always been a passion instilled in my heart, and HOBY has given me the drive to not just try, but succeed in my art. From being an actor, to designing, my work process is influenced by the values I learned at HOBY. The theatre world is full of very different people from all different backgrounds meaning people are going to have different ideas. Knowing this is important, according to the HOBY values I learned, because everyone’s ideas are important and can enhance my artistic abilities to be understood by a larger scale of people, especially since acting alone is an art of understanding. 
      Service is another huge part of HOBY that has impacted my life. Every year I help run an acting class at my university for adults with learning disabilities. This is not only a great way to help my community, but it is a way that I can help with my talents. The best way to serve your community is to look at what you love doing, and find a way to do that to serve your community. Once you find that one thing, you will never stop serving. 
      HOBY has impacted my life in many ways and I hope to keep serving and helping seminar sites around the country until my stature and physical state becomes that of a sloth. I am very honored to be chosen to be the featured alumni, and I can not wait to see how many more amazing alumni HOBY will produce.

      HOBY Info:

      Amazon Smile
        • If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-2861279). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice.
        • Choose HOBY Georgia (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) as your charity!
        Social Networking!!!
        • Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
        • Follow us on Twitter: @GA_HOBY  
        • Follow us on Instagram: hoby_georgia
        • Follow us on Vine: Georgia HOBY
        • Follow us on SnapChat: hobygeorgia
        • Check our the website: www.gahoby.org
        • Check out our YouTube channel: HOBY Georgia
        • Check out http://hobycheers.wikidot.com/list-of-hoby-cheers for awesome cheers
        Hours
        • Keep logging them! Can you accomplish the 100 Hour Challenge? Georgia HOBY knows that you can. Here is the place to do so: https://reg.hoby.org/HOBYL4S/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fHOBYL4S%2f
        • Need ideas for Volunteering projects? Email gahobyalumniadvisor@gmail.com, check the HOBY website: hoby.org, and/or research into what your community needs!
        • How far has your Chain Reaction of Kindness reached?
        This Blog
        • If you would like post a "My Favorite HOBY Experience" in the future on this blog, then email gahobyfundraising@gmail.com also with your response!
        • Be on the lookout for the next Newsletter or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post