About HOBY
In the summer of 1958, actor Hugh O’Brian received the invitation that would change his life.
O’Brian, then 33, was in Winnipeg, Manitoba, parlaying his fame as television’s legendary Wyatt Earp into extra income by guest-starring in a rodeo. Then the cable arrived from French Equatorial Africa: renowned humanitarian and 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer would welcome him at any time.
O’Brian had long admired the German doctor-missionary-theologian-musician. “I’d read so much about him,” he recalls. “He was a great humanitarian who could have done anything he wanted in the world, and there he was in the middle of Africa taking care of people.” Within two weeks O’Brian was on his way, by commercial airliner, bush plane and canoe, to the famed hospital that Schweitzer had founded on the banks of the Ogooue River in Lambarene. The actor spent nine days at the clinic where Schweitzer and volunteer doctors and nurses, working without electricity or running water, cared for patients, including many with leprosy.
The doctor was impressed that the young American had taken the trouble to visit him. He shared stories and life lessons with O’Brian each evening. Schweitzer, then 83, was concerned about global peace prospects and was convinced that the United States should take a leadership role in achieving peace. He impressed upon the young O’Brian the urgency for change and how education must teach young people to think for themselves. It was an unforgettable nine days. And, as O’Brian departed, Schweitzer took his hand and asked, “Hugh, what are you going to do with this?” Two weeks after returning from his 1958 meeting with Schweitzer, O’Brian put together a prototype seminar for young leaders — HOBY. And the rest is living history.
HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide students 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. Want to see the impact of HOBY firsthand? Get involved as a student, school, parent, alumna/us, volunteer or supporter.
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Support HOBY Missouri
Make a difference in the lives of Missouri youth!
Register a Student From Your School
We invite you to select and register an outstanding sophomore to represent your high school at the HOBY Missouri Youth Leadership Seminar. You may also choose to select two additional sophomores from your school. For all selected students, fees are $300 prior to Dec 8 and $350 after Dec 8. Check out the School Nomination Kit for more details on how to select your student(s).
Nominate a Leader in Your Community
HOBY also accepts seminar nominations for outstanding high school sophomore leaders as recognized by members of their community. Fees are $350 per student. Click here for more details.
Need Help Registering?
We recognize that high school counselors, teachers and principals have a lot on their plates. We are happy to help with the selection and registration process in any way that we can. Schedule a 15 minute zoom call with one of our HOBY MO volunteers and we will walk you through the registration process. We can even fill the nomination form out for you!
Our Mission
To inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
For over five decades, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) has inspired young people to make a difference and become catalysts for positive change in their home, school, workplace, and community. As America’s foremost youth leadership organization, HOBY has a long and impressive history of successfully motivating youth and volunteers to outstanding leadership. HOBY aims to inspire and develop our global community of youth & volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.
Our Vision
To motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society, through understanding and action, based on effective and compassionate leadership.