May 30, 2001
LAND O'LAKES NewsWeb
Home HOBY Leadership Seminar in Arden by Will CybulskiMeredith Rush Inglis, representing Sharbot Lake High School, and Kalyn Cybulski, representing North Addington Education Centre, recently attended the Eastern Ontario Hugh OBrian Youth (HOBY) Leadership seminar, held May 18 20 at Circle Square Ranch in Arden. They joined with 96 other young leaders as ambassadors of Ontario and Quebec high schools.
HOBY seminars bring together a select group of Grade 10 students to interact with leaders of business, government, education and the professions in discussing present and future issues. The goal is to provide these youths with a stimulating forum for learning about the incentive system and democratic process, while broadening their understanding of their leadership potential and quest for self-development. There is a great emphasis on volunteering, and following the seminars, HOBY leaders are challenged to perform at least 100 hours of community service.
Kalyn and Meredith were understandably tired after the weekend session, because with 96 other high-spirited, fired-up and motivated young people in camp, sleep was a precious commodity. They particularly enjoyed the panels, which included: youth and the law, media, performing arts, business entrepreneurs, education, and a session on Canada. After each panel, the participants separated into smaller break-out groups to discuss the issues in greater depth.
Kalyn, who aspires to become a graphics/animation artist, was especially impressed with the fact that she and her peers were taught how to think, not what to think. Meredith, who was very proud to be the representative for her school, said that the seminar left her thinking more deeply about these issues.
For the 2001 version of the Eastern Ontario seminar, Sarah Boomhour of Cloyne, last years NAEC representative, returned as an M & M with the wholly volunteer staff. To the uninitiated, that means she was a Major Motivator, or one of those who managed to get all 98 ambassadors screaming support and cheering in unison. Sarah was selected last year to attend a further nine-day HOBY leadership event at George Washington University in Washington DC. She enjoyed her participation as part of the staff, stating that she got to see how the participants changed over the weekend. I got a lot out of talking to the ambassadors, and having been there before, it was really neat this time to be on the outside looking in.
HOBY was established in 1958 by Hugh OBrian, the popular actor who portrayed Wyatt Earp. Further information about HOBY activities and sponsorship opportunities is available by calling Brian Dallaway, seminar Chair at 905-666-3148.
Kalyn is the daughter of Will Cybulski, our northern reporter, and Kathy Gerrie, who is a member of the Sharbot Lake OPP. Meredith is the daughter of Linda Rush, director of Adult Services at NFCS, and John Inglis of Lothlorien Woodworking.