Utah youth gather for O'Brian leadership training
The Daily Herald
08/07/2000 01:00:00 AM

UTAH COUNTY -- The Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) recognized 12 students from the county who had been selected by their high schools as outstanding sophomores.

These 2000 HOBY Ambassadors are Holly Boutelle, Mountain View High; Emily Vest, Spanish Fork High; Taniyah Eyer, Timpview High; Emil Lavaki, Timpanogos High; Jonathan Benefield, Pleasant Grove High; Jani Green, Payson High; Desirae Boudreaux, Provo High; Tanya Moody, Lehi High; Mary Johnston, Lone Peak High; Julie Erdmann, Orem High; Debrah Jackson, Springville High; and Amie Toone, American Fork High.

The students attended a three-day leadership training at Aspen Grove this past spring.

"We must raise $175 for each person to support these young people during their three-day seminars," said Dave Olpin, corporate president of the HOBY Youth Leadership of Utah. "With more than 100 ambassadors and incidentals, that translates into nearly $20,000 each year -- no small task. But it's worth it because these young people are clearly the leaders of tomorrow."

The Kiwanis Clubs of Utah, the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Rotary, NuSkin International, businesses and individuals are currently the major sponsors of HOBY-Utah.

"Additionally, this year for the first time we raised nearly $25,000 in scholarship funding," Olpin said.

HOBY awarded $25,000 in scholarships Friday to the 1999 ambassadors. Erica Dawn Holt, North Sevier High and Amy Stevens, Carbon High, were among the 13 who received scholarships.

O'Brian wanted to give back to society something more than his television series "Wyatt Earp," so he spent nine days learning from Nobel Peace Prize-winner Dr. Schweitzer in Africa.

When he returned, O'Brian started HOBY, which seeks out, recognizes and develops leadership among high school sophomores during annual three-day interactive workshops.

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This Story appeared in The Daily Herald on Monday, August 7, 2000 12:00:00 AM
and was printed on page A9
Last Updated Monday, August 7, 2000 9:55:16 AM