Zach Ewen (standing, far right) at the HOBY leadership conference.

James River student, Zach Ewen, was selected to attend the Virginia HOBY Leadership Seminar this June.  HOBY is the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program which began in 1958 as a means to build leadership among high school sophomores.  Last year, over 9,000 students attended over 70 HOBY seminars throughout the United States.  James River teachers nominated students to the selection committee and Zach was chosen as the James River ambassador.

Zach spent three days at the HOBY leadership event for Virginia at the University of Richmond, joining 227 other Virginian sophomores.  Participant activities included goal setting activities, community service, speeches and leadership building activities.

The closing ceremony announced one male and one female ambassador to receive an all expense paid trip to Los Angeles for the World Leadership conference as Virginia’s representatives. Selection of the student was based on a speech they made in front of the entire cohort and HOBY leadership. There were 5 male and 5 female semifinalists selected, and Zach was selected by his peers as one of the five. Although, Zach was not the final selection, he was offered an opportunity to apply for an at large LA conference spot after the ceremony. Zach plans to apply for this incredible opportunity.

Submitted by  Carol Brenner