STAFF REPORTS
When the head counselor at Hays High School called Banner Steele, 16, into her office earlier this spring, he wasn’t sure what was happening.
But then she asked him, “How does it feel to be the most loved sophomore at Hays?”
Banner was one of a select group of Texas high school sophomores to be voted by teachers to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Development camp at the University of Texas.
Banner spent three days interacting with students from across the state. The camp provided the group with instruction in leadership skills and activities geared toward becoming leaders, both in high school and in life.
“I met so many great people and we’re keeping in touch; we write letters to each other, not e-mails,” Banner said.
Founded in 1958 by O’Brien, an actor, HOBY now has more than 375,000 alumni.
O’Brien was inspired by Dr. Albert Schweitzer, famed German doctor-theologian-musician and 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his efforts on behalf of the “Brotherhood of Nations.”
Schweitzer told O’Brien that he felt “the most important thing in education is to teach young people to think for themselves,” which O’Brien would never forget. After visiting Schweitzer in Africa for nine days, O’Brien came back to the United States prepared to make a difference in the world.
Banner said HOBY leaders challenged the students to do 100 community service hours before coming back next year as volunteers.
“They told us that helping others will help you,” Banner said.
He was already on the right track before the camp; Banner volunteers at the ballpark—40 hours so far—helping with field maintenance. He has been involved with a food kitchen in Kyle delivering food. Banner is also third in his class of 551 students.
“I really want to be valedictorian,” he said.
One of the standout moments for Banner at HOBY was creating a business plan for a new product. His team invented an iPhone case for retractable headphones.
“We had to develop the whole plan; who to sell it to, how much it would cost to manufacture,” Banner said. “Then we had consultants critique our projects and we presented the final plans to millionaire investors.”
While his team didn’t win, Banner said it was a valuable exercise in leadership.
“The most important thing I learned at HOBY was that no matter what type of leader you are, communication is the key,” Banner said.
