Sophomore will represent Sparta High School at leadership seminar

SPARTA — Chelsea Rivera will represent Sparta at the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar. The New Jersey HOBY seminar will be held June 22 through 24, 2012 at Monmouth University. Through the process of a written application and essay, one student is selected to represent the school at HOBY’S all-expense-paid state seminar to be held in the spring. Chelsea was chosen based on her demonstrated leadership ability, sensitivity, concern for others and a desire to learn and share knowledge and experience. Last year, nearly 9,000 sophomores participated in this unique enterprise in youth development. Chelsea will receive a Certificate of Recognition at the end of the HOBY State Seminar. One young man and one young woman will be selected at the conclusion of the HOBY Seminar to serve as ambassadors at the week long, all-expense-paid HOBY World Leadership Congress in July, 2012. This widely acclaimed program began in 1958 with HOBY Leadership Seminars being held in Los Angeles for students from California. In 1968, the scope broadened to include wide participation for students from the United States and abroad. The purpose of the program is to bring together a select group of high school sophomores with demonstrated leadership qualities and a group of distinguished leaders of the community from various sectors such as business, government, education, technology, arts, and science. Through intense but informal panel discussions, the HOBY participants get a realistic look at their nation, its people and their role in the world community. Each student that attends the HOBY seminar will be challenged to undertake a community service project requiring a minimum of 100 hours.