An internationally renowned program aimed at providing leadership training, service learning and motivation-building experiences for high-achieving high school students is bringing its annual North Texas seminar to The University of Texas at Arlington.
Troy Johnson, UTA's vice president of the Division of Enrollment Management, is pictured with Neemekh Mudvari, a HOBY alumnus, who plans on attending UTA.
Juniors from more than 100 North Texas high schools will come to the UTA campus June 7-9 for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. The theme of the 2019 event is "Making Leaders Is Our Mission."
The organization's curriculum focuses on an individual's personal responsibility and commitment to lead and what impact he or she can have on society. The seminars are led by dedicated alumni and volunteers, along with local leaders from the business, education, science, technology and government sectors.
HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. The organization's mission is to inspire and develop youth and volunteers who are dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
"The vision is that HOBY and UTA will develop a long-lasting partnership for these students of promise," said Troy Johnson, vice president of UTA's Division of Enrollment Management. "With our mission and values so closely aligned, our two organizations make for natural partners. Like HOBY, we are committed to preparing our students, not only for lifelong success but also to become engaged leaders in our communities.
"HOBY students are scheduled to stay at UTA for three days, but I hope many of them will want to return to our dynamic university for at least four more years."
One HOBY alumnus who plans to attend UTA is Neemekh Mudvari, a senior at Westfield High School in Houston. Mudvari, who spent his childhood in the United States, Mexico and India, speaks five languages and is fluent in written and verbal English and Spanish. At his high school, he participates in the choir and yearbook, and volunteers with a group that helps students who are learning English.
He attended HOBY's Gulf Coast seminar in 2017 and its World Leadership Conference in 2018, crediting the organization for making him feel welcome when he returned to the United States after spending time abroad.
"I was scared because I was still improving my English, and HOBY helped me grow as a leader, as a person and as a student," Mudvari said. "HOBY opened its arms to me because they saw something inside me that no one else saw—even me. They saw a leader and a potential to do good, and they helped me grow so I can do good."
At a 2018 HOBY banquet for outstanding youth alumni, Mudvari's keynote speech helped the organization double its goal and raise $40,000 in a single evening.
At UTA, he plans to study communications and public relations.
"UTA already has done so much for me, and it is the only university I have seen that really involves itself with the community," Mudvari said. "UTA actually cares about people, and I think the school will help me grow."
