Cal Lutheran to Host 2010 HOBY Leadership Seminar; Local High Schools Urged to Nominate Outstanding Sophomores

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- California Lutheran University has been selected the regional host site for the 2010 Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar to be held June 11-13. The program is open to outstanding high school sophomores who are nominated to attend by their school's guidance counselor, principal or teacher. Local service clubs may also nominate a student.

More than 9,000 high school students from across the country are expected to participate in one of 70 HOBY seminars taking place this spring. In addition to Cal Lutheran, other California sites are UC Davis, Whittier College and Concordia University. All of those programs will take place June 18-20.

"Our seminars provide students who possess demonstrated or potential leadership skills a chance to foster their passion and knowledge in an encouraging and interactive environment," said Javier LaFianza, president and chief executive officer of HOBY. "This is a way for high school administrators to show these students that their hard work and dedication is appreciated and supported in a very meaningful way."

Each high school may nominate up to two students to attend the prestigious spring seminar. In addition to a student's academic record and leadership skills, candidates to attend - called HOBY Ambassadors - are those who possess outstanding communication skills, are strong problem solvers, show critical and creative thinking, and have strong decision-making skills. "Schools should also look for students who are sensitive to the needs of others, have the courage to speak out for their beliefs, and have a strong interest in community service activities," said LaFianza.

Students who attend the spring seminar are also eligible to attend the 2010 HOBY World Leadership Congress, which attracts 400 youth ambassadors from the United States and more than 15 foreign countries. The 2010 Congress will be held at the University of California, Los Angeles, marking the first time in 25 years that the Congress is held in Southern California.

Schools which have not yet placed their nominations for the spring HOBY seminars are urged to do so as space is filling up. Students or parents interested should contact their school counselor directly. Further information on the seminars and the nomination process can be obtained at www.hoby.org or by contacting Kimberly Noble at [email protected] or 818-851-3980, ext. 307.

For more than 50 years, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership has helped to cultivate tomorrow's leaders by inspiring a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. HOBY programs annually provide nearly 10,000 local and international high school students the opportunity to participate in unique leadership training, service learning and motivation-building experiences. HOBY also provides adults the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering, and today more than 4,000 volunteers and over 365,000 alumni proudly make up the HOBY family. Further information may be obtained at www.hoby.org.

SOURCE Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership