2012 Alumni Testimonials
Every part of this weekend was both fun and inspiring, and one might even say it was OUTSTANDING. …I realized that everyone is born with the ability to make a difference, but you become a leader when you turn that ability into an opportunity. …I feel that after hearing all of the speakers as well as the overall optimistic environment of the seminar, I will never look at life the same way again. I hope to remain a strong part of HOBY for the rest of my life, wherever that may be. I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to participate in something as genuinely inspirational and moving as this weekend at Massachusetts HOBY was.
~Chloe 2012, Auburndale
HOBY made a family out of the 12 ambassadors and 2 staff in my group, and brought out every leadership trait we possessed. I learned the roles a leader can take, and got a chance to step back and still be involved, and most importantly had fun doing it. But applying what I learned wasn't an easy start. I spent a whole weekend being surrounded by positivity and support and ENTHUSIASM and came out a different person. But the world and school I returned to were the same. I hit a wall of negativity, but HOBY gave me the tools to break my way through. I'm going to make a difference, because of HOBY.
~Russell 2012, Fitchburg
June 8th-10th was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I've never felt so empowered, driven, and inspired as I did leaving on Sunday. I cried because I didn't want to leave. I don't think I've ever seen so many happy and friendly people gathered in one place before. There was never a time where I could smile at someone and not get a smile back. The speakers were amazing, all of them had my attention the whole time. What they have taught me along with everything else I learned at HOBY will stay with me forever. Thanks to the staff and everyone at MA HOBY for constantly showing the HOBY spirit and being so outstanding!
~Kelly 2012, Winthrop
This Seminar has been life-changing for me! I had an amazing time, and I learned alot about myself. I have discovered my passion for community service, and plan on beginning the 100 hour challenge as soon as possible. I can barely express how much I enjoyed HOBY. The atmosphere, the staff, the speakers, and the other ambassadors were all outstanding. I am really excited for all the upcoming events this summer, and i am going to attend as many as I possibly can. …HOBY has left me with an inner joy that makes me optimistic whatever happens, and I have already experienced it in the few days that we have been away.
~Wyatt 2012, Clinton
2011 Alumni Testimonials
“As cliché as it sounds, the 2011 MA HOBY seminar was a truly lifechanging event! In less than three days I matured as a young leader and formed countless new friendships with students from across the state and beyond! HOBY has given me the confidence to use my voice to speak out, the mindset to listen rather than to always speak, and the knowledge that time is a far more valuable contribution to society than money.”
~Maretta 2011, South Weymouth
“HOBY weekend was by far the most fun and influential experience of my entire life. I've been a really quiet and shy person as long as I can remember, but at HOBY, the environment is so positive and accepting that it is impossible to feel shy around anybody, since everybody is practically best friends with everybody else. This warm, friendly environment is exactly what I needed to be able to finally not be shy anymore, and feel comfortable being myself and letting out my inner emotions. This lead to an incredible weekend at HOBY that was, quite literally, a life-changing one that I will never forget.”
~Glenn 2011, Harvard
“The HOBY seminar has been THE most influential weekend of my entire life. I learned so much about myself and how I lead. Through the various activities and speakers, I learned that I am a detail-oriented, rational thinker. I never thought those adjectives describe "Leader." However, HOBY taught me that even such people CAN lead - by example, which always has the most impact. The HOBY experience is more than life-changing - it's life-shaping. I made amazing friends and the staff is absolutely incredible. I cannot wait to bring what all that I learned back to my school and community.”
~Rashmi 2011, Mansfield
“My weekend at HOBY was one of the most fun-packed weekends of my life, and I'm not just saying that. It was a great weekend full of learning about leadership qualities, meeting new people, and forming bonds that will last forever. It astounds me how on the first day everyone was shy and impassive, and by the third day we were shedding tears when it was time to say goodbye. HOBY isn't something you can explain to others, they have to BE THERE to fully understand what it's all about.”
~Luke 2011, Winthrop
2010 Alumni Testimonials
“My experience at HOBY was truly the most magical weekend of my life. From the cheers to the amazing staff to the lifelong friends that I made, I will never forget my HOBY experience. HOBY has changed my life in so many ways. I honestly feel like a completely new person. I BELIEVE IN MYSELF and I AM going to become an amazing leader….I couldn't help but smile when I arrived into a flood of enthusiasm. Although I only slept for a few hours the night before, my energy levels soared immediately. It was as if I was a battery, charged for the first time. The speakers at the seminar were so inspirational! I really took the HOBY message to heart. I cannot believe how much HOBY has turned my life around. My self-confidence has reached indescribable levels; I feel as if I'm on top of the world. I am so much more comfortable in my own skin, I can't even explain.”
~Mary 2010, Pittsfield
“I would like to thank you and everyone else who helped put on the seminar. It was such an OUTSTANDING experience. I learned so much and although I have participated in leadership trainings before, I was given a completely new perspective during HOBY. Everyone I met this weekend, ambassadors, staff, J-staff, facilitators, and especially my group members are all amazing people and we all had a positive effect on each other. I am looking forward to participating in events and continuing my HOBY experience. Thank you again. I can honestly say I will hold this experience close to my heart forever.”
~Olivia 2010, North Reading
“On Friday I walked into MA HOBY with a smile on my face, and without a hint of fear in my heart for the journey in which I was about to embark. For me this lack of fear for walking into a situation blind was extremely surprising. However from the moment that I walked into the HOBY seminar I was full of excitement. …. My first HOBY moment came during the business management game on Friday night, when I saw for the first time that the best groups are formed of leaders who know when to follow and how to work together. As the seminar progresses I was blessed to learn from the actions and experiences of the speakers and the other ambassadors that I encountered. Group time was also essential to my leadership learning experience because it allowed me to fully understand the other ambassadors. My true HOBY moment came on Sunday morning, I woke up early and took the time to deeply reflect on all that had happened. I thought of all of the people I had encountered and for the first time I felt truly blessed to know such extraordinary people. I can honestly say that HOBY has changed my life, and I cannot wait to continue my relationship with HOBY through community service and attendance to the upcoming events. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this life changing experience.”
~Gillian 2010, Lynnfield
“I want to thank you for an OUTSTANDING weekend. I had such an amazing time and I believe this conference has changed my life forever. With the tools received from HOBY, I feel I can make a difference in my community. Everything about this conference from Friday until Sunday was absolutely perfect, and I know that everyone, including myself, did not want the weekend to end! I also felt that the facilitators, junior staff, and operations staff were so ENTHUSIASTIC and excellent role models. My group was OUTSTANDING too as I feel I have made friends that will last a lifetime. I hope to become involved with MAHOBY in the future. Thank you very much for all of your hard work and for the best weekend of my life.”
~Thomas 2010, Westford
2009 Alumni Testimonials
“I am (as of three hours ago!) a HOBY 2009 alumni. I can honestly say that HOBY has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have been to many leadership conferences before, but none of them have had the positive impact that HOBY has left on me. I came away from this weekend feeling more empowered and inspired than ever before.”
~Marina 2009, North Reading
“HOBY was so amazing words can't describe what it did for me. We talked a lot about helping others and changing peoples’ lives. However, I think HOBY changed my life, and I truly wanted to thank you for that. Its so hard to explain how meaningful this weekend was for me. I appreciate everything you do to make the seminar possible. I can’t thank you enough for such an amazing weekend, it was inspiring and life changing!”
~Michael 2009, Mansfield
2008 Alumni Testimonials
“It was one of the best experiences of my life and HOBY had a great impact on me. All the people I met were wonderful and different and I've learned so much from everyone. I have friends from this weekend that I can basically call my best friends. I've never said "I love you" to people I've known for a couple of hours, but I can truly say that I love everyone at HOBY. I've learned so much about life and I've learned so much about myself. I thought I had myself figured out before HOBY but I realized I barely knew anything. HOBY has inspired me to be the best I can, to accept all people, to be open minded, to be optimistic, and has overall changed my way of thinking.”
~Khushbu 2008, Millis
“HOBY was a truly life changing experience for me. I feel like I talk about it all the time. I also enjoyed all the staff, they were great role models, the junior staff too it was nice to have someone closer to my age to connect to. I really loved meeting everyone and I believe I made some lifelong friendships. At the end of HOBY, I did not want to leave.“
~Rachel 2008, New Bedford
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