HOBY program looks for leadership potential

COLUMBUS - About 55 years ago, the humanitarian, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, shared his philosophy on having a reverence for life.

Television and movie actor Hugh O'Brian - best known for his Wyatt Earp series - has been following through ever since those nine days he spent with Schweitzer in Africa.

It was there that Schweitzer told O'Brian that the most important thing in education is to teach young people to think for themselves.

On Saturday, O'Brian was the keynote speaker at a Lions Club State Convention seminar in Columbus. He talked about his continued efforts with the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program (HOBY) which finds, recognizes and develops leadership potential in high school sophomores.

"That's when you really start thinking about where you are and where you want to be," O'Brian said.

The program is meant to encourage and prepare the next generation of civic and corporate leaders for American's future.

O'Brian said each of us have been dealt a hand of cards.

"Some of us pick them up and play them, some of us don't," he said.

O'Brian promoted his ideals of getting involved and being open to new ideas to the convention goers.

Recalling the riotous 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, O'Brian told a story about being notified at 3 a.m. by HOBY facilitators that black activist Eldredge Cleaver was going to be in the same hotel. The facilitators thought it would be best to get the young HOBY participants away from any potential disruptions. The young participants were quickly awakened and were in the hotel lobby when O'Brian noticed Cleaver signing into the facility. Then Cleaver noticed O'Brian approaching the front desk.

"Hey Wyatt Earp, what the hell you doing here?" he asked.

After explaining his HOBY-related purpose of being in Chicago, O'Brian, Cleaver and the young people sat on the floor and talked about their individual views on life.

Now a panel discussion on diverse issues takes place at state HOBY forums every year. The Nebraska event was held last week.

"Did somebody take the time to give you answers or at least an opinion, (when you were young?)" asked O'Brian. "(We can't solve problems unless we) put it on the table and discuss all sides of it. ... You don't cover up tough subjects, you explore them."

He said that many people ask him why he has devoted much of his life (still 80 hours per week, according to O'Brian) to helping the country's future leaders focus on their talents and goals.

"(When they've gone through the program,) you've got a young person who is ready to take on the world. They really believe in themselves."

Following through with the lives of HOBY participants shows O'Brian that 100 percent of them graduate from high school.

"All because somebody cared," he said.

On Friday, The International Association of Lions Clubs director Ed McCormick of Wichita, Kan., was in Columbus and said the Lions Club is a group of caring people who have joined together to help their communities.

"It is the world's largest service organization and growing," McCormick said. "Any person who wants to make a difference ... and give back to the community, should join the Lion's Club."

He said HOBY helps the young participants to be more responsive to the positive things in life as well as to channel energy and knowledge.