Jacquelyn Hendricks, a resident of Suffolk, recently attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

Hendricks joined more than 240 other young high school leaders from the region. Representing Nansemond River High School, Jacquelyn is the daughter of David and Cheryl Hendricks.

Each spring, select area sophomores from public and private high schools convene at one of the 70 state leadership seminars across the country to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to becoming effective and ethical leaders. Student participants (known as HOBY Ambassadors) take part in hands-on activities, meet leaders in their state and explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in their community.

At the end of their seminars, HOBY Ambassadors are challenged to give back by serving at least 100 volunteer hours in their communities. Students who complete the Leadership for Service (L4S) Challenge within 12 months of their seminar are eligible for the HOBY L4S Challenge Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Alumni who log 4,000 hours of service receive the President’s Call to Service Award from HOBY. To date, HOBY Ambassadors have performed more than 3 million hours of volunteer service in their communities.

Following a motivational meeting with Dr. Albert Schweitzer during a trip to Africa in 1958, Actor Hugh O’Brian was inspired to establish Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership. “One of the things Dr. Schweitzer said to me was that the most important thing in education was to teach young people to think for themselves,” O’Brian said. “From that inspiration, and with the support of others who believe in youth and the American dream, I started HOBY to seek out, recognize and develop outstanding leadership potential among our nation’s youth.”

For more information about HOBY programs and sponsorship opportunities, contact HOBY Virginia’s 2018 leadership seminar chair, Marilyn Dyess at marilyn.dyess@vahoby.org.