Every year, a select group of sophomores are chosen to represent their schools at the prestigious Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) conference, a unique opportunity for students interested in developing their leadership skills and making a lasting impact in their communities. This year, Masuk High School’s own Tanisha Gera was chosen to attend.
“I applied after researching the program and discovering the incredible opportunities it offered, especially the chance to connect with other like-minded students,” said Gera. “I’d never heard of HOBY before, but after learning about what it stood for, I thought it would be a perfect fit. I wanted to push myself to learn more about leadership and expand my impact in my community.”
The HOBY conference is known for being an exclusive event for high school sophomores. The program helps students enhance their leadership abilities while also building connections with others who share a passion for positive change. It provides a platform for young leaders to explore the qualities of effective leadership, such as communication, service and teamwork, through workshops, discussions and hands-on activities.
“I had to write a one-page essay on the leadership roles I take on in my life,” said Gera. Students are selected based on their ability to showcase interest and previous activities that might make them good candidates. Gera was also required to “provide a resume that included leadership positions, volunteer work and additional extracurricular activities.”
However, the personality she infused into her application is what she believes sets her apart from other candidates.
“I made sure I put personal connection into my essays to fully express my ambition to become a better leader in the community,” she said. “I’m really excited to attend the conference and meet other ambassadors. I want to learn how to have a wider outreach in my community, and I believe the lessons I’ll learn at the seminar will help me achieve that.”
Gera’s dedication to her community has always been evident. She is not only committed to leading various school clubs, such as Robotics, FBLA and Wingman, but also takes action to give back to others. “I would advise giving back to the community in any way you can,” Gera said. “If possible, seek out leadership roles in activities you’re passionate about.”
The HOBY conference promises to be a transformative experience for Gera. With opportunities to network with other student leaders, engage in meaningful discussions and gain practical leadership tools, she looks forward to bringing her new knowledge back to Masuk and applying it in her school and community.
“The HOBY program was an amazing experience that helped me grow a lot as a person because it’s centered around teaching kids how to connect with others and take initiative,” said Masuk senior and HOBY conference alumni Ruthika Giduthuri. “There were hundreds of other clueless sophomores at the program like me, and I didn’t know any of them, so I had to learn how to network and make connections, how to start conversations and communicate effectively with other students. These skills are crucial in school and everyday life, so I’m super grateful to HOBY for helping me learn that about myself.”
In addition to building interpersonal skills, HOBY encourages students to engage with their communities through volunteer work. “HOBY gave me so many opportunities to give back, especially through working toward earning the President’s Volunteer Service Award,” Giduthuri explained. “It helped me build my place in the Masuk community and strengthened my resume for future opportunities.”
Gera’s coming attendance at the HOBY conference is not only an incredible personal achievement but also a reminder of the valuable opportunities available to Masuk students who are committed to leadership and service. “I can’t wait to be part of the HOBY conference. It’s a chance to learn more about myself as a leader and build connections with others who are also passionate about making a positive impact,” Gera said. “I’m eager to take what I learn and bring it back to my school. I want to inspire others to become leaders in their own right, too.”
Gera’s selection reflects not only her commitment to leadership but also the many opportunities available for Masuk students who choose to actively engage in community service and extracurricular activities. Programs like HOBY are excellent ways for students to challenge themselves, make connections and prepare for their futures. And for future Masuk students, it’s a powerful example of how involvement and passion can lead to incredible experiences.
Masuk Free Press 
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