Holly Student has Life Changing Experience at HOBY

Thompson is standing second from right with his HOBY Family – “the Nighthawks”

LAKEWOOD, CO – Empower. Lead. Excel. Those are the three words the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference (HOBY) uses as a motto for their participants. HOBY brings juniors-to-be together in state conferences across the nation each summer. The Colorado conference was held June 6 -8 at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood.

Grant Thompson was able to attend as a representative from Holly High School. During the conference, Thompson took part in a variety of self-exploration and leadership activities. These activities were carried out in both large and small group settings.

Each student is assigned to a small “family” that experience the weekend together. These groups bond and do become like a family very quickly. Large group meetings allowed participants to break down stereotypes, learn about the political landscape, and understand how to overcome life’s challenges. Thompson said, “Everything was so much fun. At the end of each activity, it was amazing how much you learned without realizing it.”

Thompson has called the weekend life-changing. He said, “The feeling I got when being there was one-of-a-kind. It was crazy to realize that these people in my group became my family instantly. While there, I became a better leader, as well as a better person. I will never forget this experience. Thank you HOBY!”

Monica Leiker, Holly High School counselor, believes HOBY provides its participants an amazing opportunity to learn so much about who they are and who they want to be a leader. She added, “I attended HOBY as an ambassador my sophomore year of high school and personally know the impact these few days have on one’s life. Grant has caught the HOBY fire. Our community and Holly Schools will benefit from his passion.”

Thompson hopes to return to HOBY next year as a Junior Staff member. Having had such an incredible experience this year, he hopes to be able to inspire next year’s Colorado participants.

Leiker would like to thank Fellowship Credit Union for their sponsorship of HOBY at Holly High School. Fellowship Credit Union provided the resources necessary to send a Holly student to the conference.

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