What is HOBY?
HOBY Maryland and Maryland Leadership Seminar, Inc. were formed in 1979 after Hugh O’Brian contacted the Maryland Jaycees, a service organization that continues to offer invaluable support. From our humble beginnings with 46 high schools represented, our annual leadership seminar now includes sophomores from over 250 public and private schools across the state. Likewise, our all-volunteer planning committee and staff reflects the growing involvement of our HOBY alumni — more and more former Ambassadors are volunteering their time as committee members, staff, speakers, and facilitators.
Our students are ambassadors for their schools, and referred to as such. After attending the Leadership Seminar or a Community Leadership Workshop (CLeW), Ambassadors return home with a greater sense of purpose. They create a ripple effect, focusing their enthusiasm and new set of resources to help make their schools and communities better places.