Inspiring, Educational, Compassionate, Energizing, Enthusiastic, Motivating, Transforming, Long-Lasting, and Life-Changing

These are some of the words that students, schools, parents, alumni, volunteers and supporters use to describe Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students.

HOBY programs provide youth selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences. Today, over 375,000 proud alumni make HOBY stronger than ever. HOBY alumni are leaders in their schools and communities, throughout the United States and the world, making a difference for others through service.

The Home Representative Club, who has sponsored this program for over 20 years, is excited to announce the winners of this year's HOBY Leadership Award. Brett Oliver, son of Jim and Jill Oliver and Ellen Pfeffer, daughter of James and Cheryl Pfeffer, are this year's winners which means they are the outstanding sophomores for the class of 2016. Brett and Ellen have each shown amazing leadership potential. For their admirable qualities, Brett and Ellen have won an all expense paid weekend leadership retreat provided by the Home Representative Club of Collinsville. This leadership retreat will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond where they will learn from some of the top business leaders in the State.

They will have the opportunity to explore their personal leadership potential, group leadership dynamics and leadership in society. They will also participate in a hands on community service project during their weekend stay. Brett and Ellen will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills and be given the opportunity to ask pertinent questions of today's leaders so they can emerge as one of tomorrow's leaders.

Brett and Ellen were each presented with a plaque at the Collinsville High School Awards Assembly on May 21st. On behalf of the Home Representative Club, congratulations to Brett Oliver and Ellen Pfeffer, Outstanding Sophomores and thank you to the Collinsville High School staff, students and Dawn Martinez for her assistance with this award.

What Leaders are saying about HOBY:

Ted Turner, Chairman, Turner Broadcasting Systems:

“You know, we business people like to say we’re driven by the bottom line. The real bottom line is the future, and we owe it to our youth to prepare them for that. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) does just that. By promoting leadership, HOBY is building a corps of young people who will be prepared to meet the challenges facing future generations.”

Muhammad Ali, Olympic Gold Medalist and Heavyweight Boxing Champion:

"In this world, success comes to those with confidence and faith in themselves. Hugh O’Brian’s youth organization is the GREATEST in developing that confidence in outstanding 10th graders selected annually to represent over 13,500 public and private high schools at one of HOBY’s leadership seminars. What an outstanding role model for our future!”

Colin L. Powell, Former United States Secretary of State:

"The mission of America’s Promise is to equip the next generation of Americans with the character and competence they need to be successful adults. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) is one of our staunch allies in this crusade... HOBY is encouraging each of the thousands of high school sophomores who attend these leadership seminars to volunteer at least a hundred hours a year to a community service project. The HOBY commitment to America’s Promise will produce at least 1,400,000 volunteer service hours a year.”