Why HOBY
At HOBY, we believe all students have the potential to lead. Our seminars bring students together across different backgrounds, cultures, and communities. We help students discover a newfound sense of awareness, confidence, connection, and purpose. Our seminars are proven to cultivate personal growth and inspire action. Students leave HOBY with the knowledge and passion needed to make a positive impact on the world around them. Attending HOBY unlocks a world of opportunities and connections beyond the seminar. Nominating sophomores from your school to attend HOBY is a benefit for both the individual and the community.
State Leadership Seminars
Our flagship program welcomes school and community nominated students to 3–4-day seminars each spring and summer. These student ambassadors participate in facilitated dialogue and abilities-based workshops to develop awareness of their leadership strengths and an understanding of their leadership values. Through these dynamic activities with their peers, students hone their skills and learn to recognize, amplify, and collaborate with the diverse strengths of others. One weekend at a HOBY seminar unlocks a student’s leadership potential and helps them gain the confidence to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Student Selection, Nomination, and Registration
All high school sophomores are eligible to attend HOBY State Leadership Seminars. We are proud of our long-held partnerships with schools across the United States, and the majority of students attend a State Leadership Seminar after being nominated by their schools.
At HOBY, we believe leadership is a skillset to be learned and not a position to be held. We also know that leadership abilities are not defined by gender, race, or socioeconomic status, and we encourage you to consider all sophomores in your selection. While young leaders often have excellent academic records, selections should not be based exclusively on GPA. Please consider leadership potential, as taken on in all areas of life, when making your selection.
Please see our School Nomination Kit below for more information.
When a Student Attends HOBY Programs, They…
Unlock Their Potential
Students learn about their leadership strengths and values, build the confidence to speak up about them, and learn how to identify what motivates them as a leader.
Connect with Peers
Students harness their personal growth as they identify strengths in others, build friendships with students across their state, and identify ways to make positive change, together.
Make a Positive Impact
Students apply their newfound understanding of personal and group leadership to serving others and making an impact on the local community.
Delivering Impact in Communities Worldwide
500,000+
HOBY Alumni making a difference in their communities around the world
5,000,000+
Service hours logged by Alumni since 1998
8,500+
Students around the world attend HOBY seminars each year
70+
Leadership seminars held each year across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
5,000+
High schools represented at HOBY each year
3,000+
Volunteers plan, produce, and grow seminars
Have Questions?
If you have any questions or would like more information about our programs, please let us know. We look forward to connecting with you!
