King tabbed as HOBY leader

The beginning of high school is time for young people to discover who they are and learn how to lead. Having the chance to join clubs, organizations and take part in special programs allows youth to figure out who they are.

"Unfortunately, as a 2023 graduate, class members never got to fully experience what high school is really like. For me, the lack of experience meant I was lost amongst the crowd and really didn't feel confident in who I was," said Faith King.

In 2020, freshman year was cut short when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. What was supposed to be a two-week break turned into six, then the rest of the school year.

"From March to May, online lessons and packets were completed to finish my first year of high school. All of the memories a person gains during the first year of high school were no longer being made.

"Breaking out of your shell" was difficult. The only time students saw their friends was online through social media and Zoom, making real connections impossible.

As their sophomore year arrived in August 2020, the world was slowly getting back together. Masks were still mandated and social distance was the norm, making connections difficult.

"Despite having to learn a new normal, that year progressed and the class of 2023 was finally able to finish a full year in person at school," King said.

In June 2021, she attended the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. Typically held at Concordia University, the seminar was virtual, to help fight the spread of COVID-19 that was still happening.

"I really wasn't sure what I was going to be experiencing. At this point I was shy, lacked confidence and didn't know what it meant to be a leader. The first day we hopped on a Zoom call and got acquainted with everyone attending. My group facilitator made us feel welcome and eased our nerves. We listened to renowned leaders in the field talk about leadership in the workforce. At first I thought the speakers were boring, there was no way I would learn from them. However, this negative thought was soon dashed.

"Later that day, I participated in an activity where I spoke in front of others on a Zoom call. Having gotten used to not being able to talk to people, I was incredibly nervous.

"The speaker encouraged me to voice my thoughts and, as I kept speaking, I felt more and more passionate. She taught attendees about our voices having power through the smallest words, how to be a leader no matter who we are. The confident public speaker, debater, speech kid and writer that I am today is largely because of the seminar I attended."

The seminar remained on King's mind. She applied to be a junior counselor.

Although she was unable to attend in 2022 due to Girls State, she stayed in contact with HOBY friends.

In 2023, she applied to be a counselor once again and was able to attend her first in-person conference. Held at Concordia University, she said the first day of training was nerve-wracking and reminded her of that first day of her virtual seminar year.

"When I met the staff that I would be working with, my fears were calmed," she said.

The first day, students were afraid to talk to each other, but they slowly started to get more comfortable. By the end of the day they were singing along to the HOBY chants. During the next two days, students became friends.

"Much like my journey, they found the voice that they always knew they had."

On June 6, King will head to Northeast Community College for her third volunteer year at HOBY. With a new campus things are going to be different, but she welcomes the change.

"Having a high school degree and some college under my belt for this seminar, I am even more loud and energetic than before."

Hugh O'Brian started the seminar to inspire leaders. He knew students had the potential to become great thinkers and lead in any chosen field.

"From one HOBY alumni to another, you are confident, you are loud and you are meant to be a leader, she said. "Teachers, guidance counselors, and community members, I urge you to encourage sophomores to apply for HOBY."