I can still remember the first moment I heard about HOBY. I was sitting in my Honors English classroom and on the television announcements I saw an ad which said that all sophomores should apply for a chance to “Change Their Life in Four Days.” At first I thought the idea was a bit far-fetched. Could a person really change their life in a matter of four days? Could one program really accomplish such a feat? Well, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2007 HOBY WA program and was successfully proven that it can happen.
My ambassador year of HOBY was a whirlwind of excitement and personal growth. I can still remember the feel of the itchy collar of our disgustingly poop colored HOBY shirts. I can remember losing my voice to Flea Fly and I’ll never be able to forget when I performed “White n Nerdy” on the HOBY talent show stage. All of it was just too fast and when I left HOBY WA I knew I needed more of the program. I knew I needed to attend the WLC.
I did have one problem: my mother and my family weren’t financially available to help me. Therefore the burden of paying a $2,000 fee was mine. And even more difficult, I only had nine days to raise the money. But, with all of these challenges in front of me I was able to succeed. I contacted my local Lions Club, Kiwanis Club and fought with my high school’s Student Council. In five days I was able to raise the money and I was on my way to the WLC.
Once again I was swept away with all of the activities, cheers and success of the program. It was another life altering time in my life. I can’t look back at those memories without smiling. Yet, my HOBY story never finished. I was able to apply for the Atlantic College of Wales and was eventually selected to study in Wales for 2 years. And now, I’m studying in a Business Program which allows me to live in Singapore and Australia for the next three years.
I can look back at that English classroom now and know that it was that moment which changed my life for the better. HOBY is still an amazing program today, and it’s one of the few things I dedicate all my successes to. And as long as they let me return, I plan to help at every seminar I can. This is my HOBY story.
