Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

COUNSELOR'S DESK

By Donald Crane

For some of us more mature citizens, the name Hugh O'Brian conjures up some rather fond memories.

In the late 1950's, O'Brian portrayed the infamous Wyatt Earp on TV. He wore a straight-brimmed hat and fancy flowered vest which were very unusual for the time. He also wore two six guns, one with a barrel which hung almost to the ground. His unusual attire and armament intrigued me, and Wyatt Earp quickly became one of my favorite programs.

In 1957, while filming a movie in Africa, Hugh O'Brian met the famous missionary, physician, and philosopher, Dr. Albert Schweitzer. O'Brian was inspired by Dr. Schweitzer's work and strongly impressed by his comment, "The most important thing in education is to teach young people to think for themselves."

This meeting with Dr. Schweitzer became O'Brian inspiration for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation (better known as HOBY).

Today, a HOBY Leadership Seminar is held in every state. Each high school is allowed to send one sophomore as a delegate to a state seminar. The qualification is leadership potential. The seminar is all-expense-paid and gives young leaders an opportunity to meet with outstanding adult leaders in business, education, government, and other professions for the purpose of exchanging ideas and asking questions.

By attending the state seminar, one becomes eligible for selection to a national seminar held in various places across the U.S. This year's delegate to the state seminar from PHS is Lindsey Powell.

Just before Christmas, I received word from Gurdon High School a district HOBY seminar was being sponsored by the General Federation of Women's Clubs -- specifically the Kadohadacho Club of Gurdon and the Junto Woman's Club of Texarkana. The seminar was held at Gurdon High School on January 23.

I had the honor of chaperoning six sophomores to the event. Our two previous delegates to the state HOBY seminar, Beth Purtle and Al Johnston, were also invited. The event was up-beat all the way. The day was filled with inspirational speakers and panelists who discussed thought-provoking subjects. Some local businessmen told their success stories and gave good information and common-sense advice suitable for anyone seeking success in any chosen career.

Lunch was pizza-around-the-room! Literally! I've never seen so much pizza, and I tried not to make a hog of myself. Well, I tried.

I think the day was enjoyed by all, and each delegate received a certificate at the close. It

was a unique opportunity for our students to meet students from surrounding schools, get acquainted, and share ideas. There are too many to mention in this article, but I want to thank the organizations, businesses, and individuals who made it all possible.

Accompanying this article is a photo of the group I took to the seminar. They are some of the finest PHS has to offer. They fit very well the following words of Hugh O'Brian:

"Unfortunately, a very small number of our young people seem to attract most of the news. They are in the public eye because thy have stolen cars, vandalized schools, created disturbances -- in some way rebelled against society. These headline-makers represent only a small part of our teen-age population. It is a fact that 98.7 percent of our young people are law-abiding, constructive citizens. There is too much focus on the negative. It is time we accent the positive -- pat the good guys and gals on the back -- let them know there are rewards for being responsible members of the community."

Our group from PHS is a good representation of that 98.7 percent!

Just a reminder to all parents -- PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES are this Thursday, March 20, from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The faculty will have a break from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.