Georgia HOBY Newsletter:

Forty-Third Edition, October 14, 2015

Featured Alumnus: Garrett Childers '11

HOBY has been a beacon of hope, security and strength for me. I was privileged to go to HOBY back in 2011. I arrived late, I walked into the main building and everyone standing there stared at me then burst into enthusiastic cheering. My dad leaned over and said, "Buckle up Garrett." I was stunned and perplexed, but I fell in love with it. After the Georgia HOBY Seminar, I went onto WLC and became friends with people all over the world. I went into HOBY, insecure, fearful and distant. I left knowing I had a purpose and motivation; I can be the change people need in the world. Before HOBY, I would go through my day, walk in the hallway with my head down and just go through the motions. After HOBY, I held my head high, I would say hey to everyone I passed. Going through high school is a scary tough thing but with HOBY as my safety net, knowing I had friends anytime I could call on anytime for anything. I made friendships that last a lifetime. While there I made a friendship that has become one of my best friends, a speaker, Dave Gamache. He spoke with so much fire and enthusiasm and genuine love, I thought, I want to be like that. Sure enough years later, I am working with him sharing my story along with his. HOBY has opened so many doors, has transformed my heart and mind to be loving, humble and generous in whatever I do. That is why I love HOBY.

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile

• If your shop at Amazon, the switch to Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice.
• Choose Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership as your charity!

Social Networking!!!

• Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
• Follow us on Twitter: @HOBY_GEORGIA  
• 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

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:

Forty-Second Edition, October 10, 2015

Featured Alumna: Allie Petersen '10

           In 2010, Georgia HOBY began transforming my life and it still continues to do so today. One of the most important things that I learned as an ambassador was that every single person is overflowing with ideas, and that the best leaders take the time to let everyone voice their opinions. I learned that being in charge does not mean you make all of the decisions on your own, but you facilitate a group in making the best decision for everyone affected. Since my ambassador year, I have attended HOBY on staff every year since and it truly does change lives. Not only as an ambassador, but also in every other role I have played at HOBY – Jr. Staff, Jr. Facilitator, and Facilitator. HOBY continues to ‘light my inner fire’ which pushes me to serve my community by volunteering, being a leader, and following my passions. This has all helped to lead me to my passion for youth development through sports. I will soon be graduating from Gardner-Webb University with a B.S. in Sport Management. I am so thankful to be part of an organization that continues to give back so much to me as well as so many others!

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile

• If your shop at Amazon, the switch to Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice.
• Choose Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership as your charity!

Social Networking!!!

• Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
• Follow us on Twitter: @HOBY_GEORGIA  
• 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

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:

Forty-First Edition, September 29, 2015

Featured Alumna: Abbie Nash '12

            Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Many people do not see organizations as catalysts for change; they associate change with personalities and individuals. I was one of those people—seeing change as a personal endeavor and hoping I could be one of those individuals. Attending HOBY as a sophomore changed that perspective entirely. I realized that genuine change can take the shape of an organization—an organization devoted to instilling a desire to lead and excel around the world. I consider myself so lucky to have been one of those individuals inspired by HOBY.

            This organization truly does light a fire in high schoolers in a way that is inexplicable. Just like everyone else, I arrived not knowing the life-changing moments I would experience in just one weekend (and the hilariously wonderful ones). From accidentally losing our group leader multiple times to conquering the TeamScapes challenges to easily being the most enthusiastic group, my team formed a tight bond and I still retain many of those friendships today. Together, we learned how to be work with different types of leaders, foster and hone our personal leadership skills, and to make change in our communities.

            Before HOBY, I had never put much emphasis on serving my community, but my eyes were opened to the need that exists wherever you look for it, and today, as a college sophomore (wow, I’m old!), I am pursuing a career in nonprofits and NGOs that effectively make change domestically and abroad. I still volunteer much of my time every week to underserved populations that I see as needing the aid of driven leaders like myself. I seek leadership positions in a variety of settings, constantly putting the skills I learned at HOBY to work.
            However, HOBY’s greatest impact on my life today is the relationships that I’ve made. Easily, some of my best friends are those that I’ve made through HOBY, whether as an ambassador or returning on staff for the past three years. The people that are drawn to this organization have hearts of giving and determination, and they are always supporting, loving, and leading in every aspect of their lives. I cannot thank them and HOBY enough for encouraging me in my aspirations and in being my quirky, enthusiastic self every single day. #itstartswithone

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile

• If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice!
• Choose Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership as your charity!

Social Networking!!!

• Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
• Follow us on Twitter: @HOBY_GEORGIA  
• 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
• Feel free to send quotes to lutzofun@gmail.com to be put onto the Twitter page
• 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%2fdefault.aspx
• 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 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 or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:

Fortieth Edition, September 20, 2015

Featured Alumna: Courtney Burnette '09

As a shy and insecure sophomore, I was skeptical about HOBY when my counselor approached me about it during my sophomore year of high school. It is hard to imagine now how different my life would be if I had not stepped out of my comfort zone to attend the seminar! HOBY changed my life in unimaginable ways and continues to do so even now. My ambassador year truly opened my eyes to the fact that I am capable of accomplishing my goals through leadership, and it also showed me the importance of community service. My passion for giving back to the community started with HOBY and the requirement to complete 100 hours of community service when I applied for junior staff, and I am so thankful that HOBY pushed me toward finding my passion of serving others. My biggest blessings in this organization have come in working as a staff member, both through the friendships I have made and how much I have grown as a leader. I never would have guessed almost seven years ago now that some of the people I met at my seminar would remain my best friends today. HOBY has given me some of the most inspiring, hard-working, and wonderful people to call my friends. Additionally, the past few years I have been able to lead a team by being a facilitator, and this has become what I look forward to the most at each seminar. Bonding with your team and walking through the HOBY journey together throughout the weekend is such a special experience, and I feel so lucky to play even a small part in an ambassador's HOBY story. Above all, the following quote by Margaret Mead sums up what HOBY is all about: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile

• If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice!
• Choose Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership as your charity!

Social Networking!!!

• Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
• Follow us on Twitter: @HOBY_GEORGIA  
• Follow us on Instagram: HOBY_GEORGIA
• Follow us on Vine: Georgia HOBY
• Check our the website: www.gahoby.org
• Check out our YouTube channel: HOBY Georgia
• Feel free to send quotes to lutzofun@gmail.com to be put onto the Twitter page
• 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%2fdefault.aspx
• 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 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 or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:

Thirty-Ninth Edition, September 12, 2015

Featured Alumni: Captain America, SouthEast '15

Three months ago to the day, these group of 11 Oustanding individuals came together to begin their HOBY journey at the Georgia SouthEast 2015 Seminar! These are their favorite experiences from their alumni weekend!

Connor O'Sullivan

Pinewood Christian Academy

My time at HOBY was truly wonderful. I met so many great friends and learned how to better myself and my community. Although there are many fond memories that I gained from the experience, my favorite would have to be the time in between the activities. All of the people on my team really bonded with each other, and we created friendships that will last forever. While walking to and from activities, the conversations that I had with my other outstanding teammates made my HOBY experience even more special!

Amy Sethna

Union Grove High School

HOBY. Who knew that such a small phrase could make such a large and lasting impression on me? I for sure did not. Although it was only 3 days, I made some of the best experiences in my life. The relationships that I was able to build was life changing and the concepts I learned will help change the way I look and act in my community. Every activity that was done, regardless of my personal feelings towards them, helped shape me into not just a better leader, but a better person. Before HOBY, I knew I wanted to make a difference, but now after HOBY I know how. I am confident not that I can make a difference to the best of my ability. The concept of "Beyond You" really changed my outlook on life. I had always known that I was meant to do something bigger than myself, but HOBY helped me reassure myself that I am definitely doing what is right. I always ask myself "where in the world would I be without HOBY" and still I am glad to say "I have absolutely no idea." HOBY is great, great is HOBY. 

Prescilla Lyle

John Milledge Academy

When I was first asked if I would like to attend something by the name of "HOBY", I was quite scared! I felt such an honor being asked to attend, but I was still scared. I heard it was fun in the past from my fellow peers but I thought "Oh, something nice to put on a resume". I shortly learned after I arrived that it was truly fun and yeah it went on my resume, but it was more than that. It was the best time I had ever had. Making new friends and learning new aspects to take on life helped me grow as a person, and I was so happy to do it with the rest of Captain America! To my awesome leaders during the seminar that changed my life, I believe that you made the largest impact on me and everyone else with how you introduced us and made us feel like a true family. I believe it truly changed me for the better and I also made a new family that I will always cherish! Captain America, I love all of you and I "Believe That We Will Lead!!!!!"

Wyatt Galloway

Piedmont Academy

My favorite HOBY memory would have to be reflections. Reflections is a time towards the end of HOBY where everyone comes together and the ambassadors share what they have learned or what HOBY has done for them. It was just an awe-inspiring time where people told their stories and how HOBY had impacted them. To me even though I wasn't a leader or a facilitator just knowing that by being there and interacting with people that I had impacted there lives is just indescribable. The entire room was so attentive to each ambassador's story, which was a really nice change from the daily pace of life. To see the impact that three days of HOBY had on a group of teenagers has inspired me to take the next step and what that step is I don't know yet. But I'm seeking it out and I'm ready to make a difference because of HOBY.

Callen Davidson

Wesleyan High School

My favorite memory from my weekend at HOBY was how quickly our team be close friends. I never would have guessed that would still be talking with them after only being with them for a weekend. Every activity we did brought us closer together. We really became like a family over the weekend, which is incredible. I can’t wait to see my team again, and I can truly say that they will be my friends for a very long time.

Anyzia Spearman-Lott

Wayne County High School 
My favorite memory of HOBY would have to be the time my team and I, Captain America, spent together earning our first service hours. For the first hour or so, we worked on Project Linus creating fleece blankets to help those in need. We ended up finishing three entire blankets between our team and learned how to work better as a group. And what a coincidence that we were able to make an "America" blanket to represent our awesome team!!! Once this project was completed, we moved on to make chew toys for the animal shelter. We ripped up jeans that were no longer being used and tied torn pieces together. For fun, we tried on what was left of the jeans and overall we had a blast! I think that was the day we really bonded as a group and created a bond that will last forever. Overall, HOBY was a great experience for me that I will truly never forget, but having a good time with my new 'fam' would have to be at the top of the list. 

Emily Brown

Savannah Christian Preparatory School

Going into HOBY I was scared I wasn't going to have any fun because I had no clue what HOBY even was. Immediately I was overwhelmed with the cheers and overly nice Junior Staff but once we broke into teams everything became great. My team (Captain American aka the best team) clicked super fast once we got past the awkward part of the first meeting on the steps outside the auditorium. My favorite part of the entire weekend was doing the group games where we finally bonded and got to know each other. After that first activity, the awkwardness went away and we became super close and full of American pride.

Mariah Hutcheson 

Coffee High School

I go to school in Coffee County. Awesome name for a county, I know. You know what else is awesome? HOBY!!! Even more so, it's OUTSTANDING! I'm honestly utterly honored that I got to be a part of HOBY. It was an amazing experience with amazing people that I'll never forget. I loved the high energy and all of the team building activities! My favorite exercise was probably when we had to get a ball from point A to inside of point B (point B being a little orange cone propped upside down against a tree) using pieces of pipe. This TeamScape game made Captain America trust each other's judgment and our own to keep the ball steady, aimed in the right direction, and rolling at a manageable pace. I'm not going to lie, it was pretty intense, but I loved it and the way it brought us together. It probably helped that the people in my team (CAPTAIN AMERICA FOR LIFE) are spectacular people. In fact everyone at HOBY, including staff, were, are, and always will be outstanding (triple "HUH" of course), and I couldn't be more grateful to have been a part of it.

Meg Cordone

St. Pius X Catholic High School

My favorite HOBY memory was doing the team Captain America cheer. We created the cheer on the first day and even though introductions were awkward at first, creating our “I believe that we will lead” cheer broke the ice. We were the first team to create a cheer and throughout the course of HOBY, we recited our patriotic chant every chance we got. We even sang the National Anthem in the talent show and ended it with our memorable cheer. I enjoyed being in the middle of the cheer holding a Captain America wand and being surrounded by my enthusiastic teammates. Huddling together with these people that I grew so close to reinforced the support that we all expressed for each other. We have each other’s backs, and I felt this the most while coming together to vocalize our team spirit.

Power Evans

Winder Barrow High School

I think my favorite memory from HOBY had to have been the talent show. We got to see each other show their true selves and their skills. Watching people get up and do what they did is a wonderful human bonding experience. Every time I think about that moment I think about the future and how it will be changed by everyone that was in that room. The level of support from everyone watching was such an incredible experience. It blew me away that everyone was in sync in encouraging and cheering on every single act! It made my time on the stage singing the National Anthem with the greatest group ever (CAPTAIN AMERICA) all the more special!

Ally Orenstein

Valdosta High School

There were a lot of fun times in my experience at HOBY, but my favorite memory would have to be the team building games. At first you assume the games are going to be really typical and predictable, which is what I originally thought, but then you realize they’re tons of fun while at the same time quickly bringing you closer to your team. Not only that, but each of the games brought out the strengths in every one of the team members. Where one person wasn’t as confident, someone stepped up when it was necessary and vice versa. It was really cool to get to see leadership in action from my teammates as well as myself. Teamscapes was definitely the best time when Captain America bonded, and I am so happy to have been apart of such an OUTSTANDING team!

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile

• If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice!
• Choose Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership as your charity!

Social Networking!!!

• Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
• Follow us on Twitter: @HOBY_GEORGIA  
• Follow us on Instagram: HOBY_GEORGIA
• Follow us on Vine: Georgia HOBY
• Check our the website: www.gahoby.org
• Check out our YouTube channel: HOBY Georgia
• Feel free to send quotes to lutzofun@gmail.com to be put onto the Twitter page
• 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%2fdefault.aspx
• 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 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 or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:

Thirty-Eighth Edition, September 12, 2015

Featured Alumna: Adesola Thomas '14

I was raised in a household with a HOBY alum, my older sister, Adetinpo Thomas, and was hopeful throughout middle school that I too would attend the program. When I was chosen as my school’s 2014 ambassador, I was super excited but also slightly anxious. I feared that years of fantasizing about HOBY would make my actual experience fairly wack in comparison, but luckily I was wrong. HOBY gave me the opportunity not only to meet amazing people, but to fellowship with those amazing people. The weekend encouraged me to truly reflect on my abilities and think about how my abilities could be used to positively impact the people in my life. I have since served as Jr. Staffer at this Connecticut HOBY 2015 Seminar and I look forward to seeing what other magnificent fortune HOBY will allow me to experience in the future. HOBY HUGS.

HOBY Info:

Amazon Smile

• If you shop at Amazon, then switch to Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com). It is the exact same website, but 0.5% of purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice!
• Choose Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership as your charity!

Social Networking!!!

• Find us on Facebook: GA HOBY Alumni
• Follow us on Twitter: @HOBY_GEORGIA  
• Follow us on Instagram: HOBY_GEORGIA
• Follow us on Vine: Georgia HOBY
• Check our the website: www.gahoby.org
• Check out our YouTube channel: HOBY Georgia
• Feel free to send quotes to lutzofun@gmail.com to be put onto the Twitter page
• 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%2fdefault.aspx
• 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 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 or My Favorite HOBY Experience Post