Merion Mercy Junior Participates in HOBY Leadership Seminar

At Merion Mercy Academy’s first schoolwide assembly of the new academic year, several students shared highlights from their summer leadership experiences. Among them was junior Maggie White, who participated in the three-day Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Pennsylvania East seminar held at nearby Neumann University.

HOBY seeks “to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.” Its programs gather students from diverse backgrounds and communities, helping them build awareness, confidence, and purpose. According to HOBY, “Our seminars are proven to cultivate personal growth and inspire action. Students leave with the knowledge and passion needed to make a positive impact on the world around them.”

Maggie explained that HOBY encourages students to embrace their own leadership style and strengths. “It’s not about fitting into one model of a leader,” she reflected, “but about finding your own voice and gifts.” Participants engage in workshops focused on critical thinking, effective communication, inclusion, and ethical decision-making. A cornerstone of the program is service leadership, with one full day devoted to volunteering in the greater Philadelphia area.

Beyond the skills gained, Maggie valued the opportunity to connect with other motivated students from across Pennsylvania and beyond. “HOBY brings people together who share the same drive to make a difference,” she said. “It gives you friendships and networks that will last well beyond high school.” Today, the HOBY network extends to more than 600,000 alumni worldwide, many of whom return as seminar facilitators and junior facilitators.

In her closing remarks, Maggie shared a powerful reflection: “HOBY sends you back to the world with the life-long question that Hugh O’Brian was asked by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer: ‘What will you do with all of this?’”

At Merion Mercy Academy, that question resonates deeply with our mission to educate young women to lead, learn, and serve. HOBY’s focus on ethical leadership, community engagement, and service reflects those same values. Maggie’s experience is just one example of how opportunities like HOBY help our students grow as confident leaders who are ready to make a positive difference in their schools, communities, and beyond.