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{nl} By Kolby Slone and Karen Bailey Kolby Slone and Tessa AmburgeyKolby Slone and Tessa Amburgey from The June Buchanan School had the opportunity to take part in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar over the summer.  This leadership program took place on the campus of Transylvania University in Lexington, KY from June 3rd-6th.  Each year, HOBY chooses two sophomores from each high school across Kentucky to participate in this program.  HOBY focuses on helping young adults become leaders by placing them with students of similar interests.  Students come together to promote and create positive change in their communities.  Kolby and Tessa had the opportunity to meet with 180 other student with similar interests, in addition to meeting with HOBY Alum. With over twenty inspiring speakers, college representatives, CEO’s, and comedians, HOBY truly left an impact on the students from JBS.  Kolby Slone commented that, “I’ve experienced indescribable events, friendships, and most importantly, a change in myself.  HOBY has changed my passion and outlook on community service completely.”  HOBY focuses on community service, and students spent one full day working in homeless shelters, landscaping graveyards, cleaning museums, picking up throughout Lexington, and much more.  Overall, Kolby and Tessa had the chance to express their goals to others, participate in community service, and learn about the world around them.  Kolby stated that while at HOBY he was very impressed with the fact that the entire program was run by unpaid volunteers.  However, the benefits on HOBY did not end at the conclusion of the program.  Each student is challenged to complete 100-250 hours of community service and return as faculty, staff, or HOBY alum the following summer.  At JBS, students participate in community service annually, so this aspect of the HOBY program is not new to Tessa and Kolby.  However, both plan to return to the program next summer to help inspire other young leaders develop to their full potential.