10.20.2016

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Eightieth Edition, October 20, 2016

Featured Alumna: Michelle Kancheva '13

     It was 2013 when I found myself starting my HOBY journey, though I didn't know how much I would invest in it at that time. Everyone talks about how their pivoting point for the weekend may have been an inspirational speaker, one of the many activities that we as ambassadors did, or even simply the junior staff that banged on our car doors and windows with enthusiasm. For me, though, it was a little simpler than that. For me, it was just an encounter with a then Junior Staffer. 
     Though I don't remember much of the details of that first of many encounters, I do remember how I felt after that first meeting with Ben Lutz. One of the members of my group happened to come from his high school, and she apparently knew him well. So he strolled on over and picked up a conversation with her. Somehow, I got into the mix of it all, and though I don't recall much of that now distant conversation, I do remember finally feeling a sense of inclusion and purpose in this whole experience of HOBY. Skip ahead to after the seminar and, as I was chanting all the cheers to myself that I had learned and thinking about the magnificent weekend HOBY brought to me, I started to ponder how I would manage to be selected to go back. As if he heard my thoughts, I received a message at 7:47 PM on June 2nd of 2013 from the very Ben Lutz himself reading, “Get your 100 hours and I'll help you with your application in February!” And so my HOBY journey began. 
     With Ben's kindness, he proofread my the essays I wrote and told me if I should revise more or not, and I turned in an application that I was proud of and worked hard on. I heard back soon after that I had been accepted as a Junior Staff member and, of course, Ben was there to congratulate me. Through my years on Junior Staff, though Ben hasn't had to hold my hand as much as during that initial application by any stretch of the imagination, his presence has always been one of enthusiasm and peace simultaneously. 
     Thanks to the confidence Ben helped instill in me for my own abilities, my years at HOBY have always helped me grow as a person. My confidence in myself allowed me to truly show my staff members who I am without worry of ridicule, and it has allowed me to not only show my best work during the seminars, but also grow impeccably close with my team members. With every year that I have gone back to HOBY, my confidence has grown, and my friendships have only gotten deeper, so I have much to thank HOBY and all of the people involved for helping create the woman I am today. Through the people I've met, the teams I have worked with, the speeches I've heard, and the ambassadors I have seen, I, today, am proud to say that much of the servant leadership knowledge and experience I have acquired has truly helped me give back to my community. In my spare time now, which seems to become shorter and shorter as the years wane on, I help raise guide dogs for veterans or blind citizens, and I have helped found an organization to provide mentorship for at risk teens in a local high school. I've even seen the impact of HOBY in my academic and social spheres through my acceptances in elite honor societies to the wonderful conversations I am able to have with professors and through the amazing people that I have met and am able to call my friends. 
     Though daily tasks after a weekend at HOBY may not seem as enthusiastic, I have found that by continuing the spirit of HOBY in everyday life, doors that I had never imagined would even be there for me to step through truly open. For that reason, I've made it my life's goal to continue that very same kindness, patience, and joy that Ben first showed to me to anyone around me willing to take my extended hand.

HOBY Info:
Georgia HOBY Store
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: HOBY Georgia
  • 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
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
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9.30.2016

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Seventy-Ninth Edition, September 30, 2016

Featured Alumnus: Corey NaLampoon '98

     Like many of you, upon hearing the news that Hugh O’Brian had passed, I couldn’t help but be flooded with a range of emotions.  Of course, there was sadness and thoughts of sympathy for Hugh’s family and close friends, but I couldn’t figure out why I had this “pit in my stomach” and sense of unease. While I was fortunate enough to meet Hugh on several occasions over the years, I was not by any means what one would consider a close friend. Yet still, why did the news of his passing sadden me in the manner that it did? After exchanging a few texts regarding his passing with friends that I’d met through HOBY, “the reason why” all of a sudden hit me: HOBY has shaped me into who I am today and HOBY is family.
     One of Hugh’s core motives behind targeting high school sophomores to participate in HOBY was his belief that at age 15-16, a person is “young enough” to still require mentoring/guidance from their elders, yet “old enough” to begin making decisions to shape their lives on their own. I was fortunate to be selected to represent my high school as a HOBY Ambassador in May 1998, when I was 16 years old. I was blessed enough  return to staff each year from 1999 to 2015 – serving in a myriad of roles and responsibilities – electing to finally take a step back as an active volunteer due to family and professional obligations when I was 34 years old.
     How could HOBY not shape who I am? After all, HOBY has been in my life longer than it hasn’t been in my life (#GettingOld). I’m a firm believer that our lives are filled with moments that, based on our response, shape the rest of our futures. For me, HOBY was one of those moments. But what made it all so special? The answer is simple: YOU. Each and every one of you.
     I honestly don’t know where I would be in my life without HOBY. I don’t mean that in the sense of “I was headed down the wrong path”. I mean it in the sense of “HOBY has been so pivotal in my life”. I’ve learned so much about myself, about others, and about our world through HOBY…whether it be through what I learned as an Ambassador, what I learned from the Ambassadors as a volunteer, or through the close-knit bonds and lifelong friendships I’ve made with fellow HOBY volunteers over the years. The Ambassadors never ceased to amaze me. Their drive, their passion, and their skill is unparalleled. As for the volunteers, words don’t do them justice. We’ve laughed together in times of humor and cried together in times of sorrow. We’ve celebrated together for weddings and births and we’ve been there for each other in times of loss. We’ve encouraged each other when we’ve embarked on new and exciting frontiers and we’ve leaned on each other in times of need. As a matter of fact, I’ve enjoyed a 12+ year career in an industry I got in to by learning about it from a friend I met through HOBY. I’m married to the love of my life because I met her through a friend I knew from HOBY. And 17 months ago, I became a Dad to the most beautiful, hilarious, and (dare I say) sassy as all get out little girl…you know the kind – up there front and center showing the world how she HOBY-O’s. All of it – all the laughs, all the tears, all the texts, all the memories, all the smiles, all the future – all of it because of HOBY.
     So that’s why it hurt. That was the unease. With Hugh’s passing a big piece of me – a big piece of all of us – was gone. Even though some of us may have never met him and even though he may have never known our names off the cuff, a catalyst for change in our lives was gone. If you’re like me, after his passing, you may have read the news articles on his life or searched his name on the internet. His achievements and notoriety were many, but it was one moment – his time with Dr. Schweitzer – that shaped the rest of Hugh’s life. Thankfully, in some way, shape, or form, each of us has been shaped by Hugh’s life. And for that, I know I will remain forever grateful.

Rest easy, Hugh…we’ll carry the torch from here.

HOBY Info:
Georgia HOBY Store
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: HOBY Georgia
  • 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
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
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9.25.2016

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Seventy-Eighth Edition, September 25, 2016

Featured Alumnus: Sean Nesmith NW '16



     Here is my WLC experience summed up in only three paragraphs! It was 4AM. Without sleep (and Starbucks), it was just my mother and I on the road, listening to Rihanna in the car. I had actually never been alone for an entire week in another state - so when my mom was about to leave me alone at the front desk, I pleaded for her to come with me  all the way to gate, much like a 5 year old. Reluctantly, she came with me, and two hours later, it was time for me to hop on the plane to fly all the way to Chicago. I remember - the first thing I said on the plane was something along the lines of “What did I get myself into?”
     I was right.With an iced coffee in hand, I made my way to O’Hare’s baggage claim. I’ll never forget that moment of the entire week - instantly, I made some of my closest friends that week: Ian from Florida, Tessa from New York, Ben from North Carolina, Joey from Alaska, and Caroline and Rudy, both from Connecticut. I still talk them today (I say that as if WLC was years ago, haha!) After jamming out to One Dance by Drake at the airport (one of my favorite songs throughout the week), we all took the shuttle bus to Loyola University. There, I was greeted by my facilitator, Al Carroll, and the rest of the members of my group (go Silver E1!)

     And what a week it has been. Between all of the speakers that came to talk to us, International Day, cleaning up at Humboldt Park, sightseeing Chicago and buying Garrett’s popcorn, making political posters with Koji, making over 50,000 meals with Feeding Children Everywhere, and being able to interact with over 400 ambassadors from around the world, I can happily say that I came out of this week changed. You “get out what you put in,” and throughout the week I have learned so much about what it means to truly be passionate and knowing my why...the list goes on and on. There so many things that I cannot wait to take back to my community here in Marietta! HOBY has been such a big part of my summer this year and I’m so excited for my future as an alum! You guys will always have a special part of my heart. HOBY Hugs!

HOBY Info:
Georgia HOBY Store
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: HOBY Georgia
  • 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
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
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9.12.2016

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Seventy-Seventh Edition, September 12, 2016

Featured Alumnus: Paul Serrato '13

     As I was standing in the long line of uncomfortably quiet teenagers and their proudly enthusiastic parents, I couldn’t help but notice how unnaturally energetic the Junior Staff members were as they ran around carrying luggage in their brilliant yellow shirts. I remember watching them and wondering what was making them so excited. It turned out that they were excited about not only being at HOBY but also being alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic at HOBY. And that’s exactly what they chanted! The idea that you can not only feel energized for doing something that you love but also feel invigorated for even feeling energized in the first place was a concept that I learned at HOBY—first as an ambassador but even more so in my two years returning as one of those yellow-shirted Junior Staff members.
In practice, this meant that I could strive for my goals with a go-getting attitude that fueled itself to keep on going. It was a positive feedback process. The more energetic I became when approaching a problem, the more I would feed off my own energy to sustain the motivational momentum that propelled me closer to accomplishing my goal. This was my self-motivation and it presented itself in everything from running track and field to applying to college as senior.
Now, as a second-year student in college, I realize how special HOBY was for me because it multiplied this uplifting effect when everyone around me was experiencing it. HOBY fueled people to not only find their self-motivating capabilities but also vibe with other people to accentuate and amplify these positive effects. HOBY united. HOBY empowered. HOBY inspired. And for those few days in my life that I was able to experience this HOBY magic, I am forever grateful.

HOBY Info:
Georgia HOBY Store
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: HOBY Georgia
  • 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
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
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9.01.2016

Georgia HOBY Newsletter:
Seventy-Sixth Edition, September 1, 2016

Featured Alumna: Amanda Hammett '94

Do you know what HOBY means to me?

FAMILY.

HOBY has come to be an integral part of my family.

In 2012, I came to the HOBY GA seminar as an outsider.  Yes, I am a proud HOBY alum, but not from Georgia.  From the moment I stepped foot on Berry's campus for volunteer training (where I knew no one), person after person opened their arms and hearts to me.  HOBY became my family that day.  Sure, I had been away from HOBY since my ambassador year in 1994 (yes, do the math), but it was amazing how quickly everything came rushing back.

As a 15 year old, HOBY changed my view point on the world.  HOBY managed to pop the bubble that I had been living in in my small Alabama hometown. My seminar weekend solidified  in my mind that I needed to see other parts of the country and the world.  There was too much out there for me to see and experience and different people for me to meet.  HOBY gave me the skills that I would hone and use throughout college and in the early days of my entrepreneurial career. 

Coming back in 2012, reminded me of just how far I had come, but also of how much farther I still have left to go.  But the biggest lesson, I learned from HOBY is that you can always come back home.  And for me, HOBY is HOME.  All of you, are home for me.

Today, my HOBY experience is way different than a weekend in 1994.  Now, I have the good fortune of leading a team of incredibly dedicated volunteers throughout the year.  These are people that I consider family.  These are the people that when things are rough in my life that I call on to give me guidance or just to hear me complain.  Sure, we may (as families do) disagree from time to time, but at the end of the day, I love and respect each person and I would do anything in my power to help them. Sometimes in families, doing the right thing is the hard thing. But I know each member of this family has the same end goal in mind...we want to make each seminar have a life long impact on the ambassadors. 

And y'all...HOBY does that.  WE do that.  And when I sit back and look at the bigger picture of how the ambassadors we taught are going out and positively impacting the world....I get teary eyed because that impact...that ripple effect is what it is all about.

Thank you for being a part of HOBY and thank you for being a part of my family.  


HOBY Info:
Georgia HOBY Store
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: HOBY Georgia
  • 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
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
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