Valley High students leaders book trip to state conference

Published 10:10 am Saturday, April 13, 2024

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Two Valley High School students have been selected for the HOBY leadership conference. The students were selected by their teachers based on being leaders in the classroom, service clubs, and other organizations at VHS. 

Katelyn DeLoach and Bryce McDonald were the students selected to attend the HOBY convention. Both students were elected by the teaching staff. DeLoach is in the high school’s band, is the soccer team’s goalkeeper, a member of service organizations including the Key Club and Beta Club, she is Rambassador and is in the ecology club. McDonald is on the wrestling team, is also in Beta Club and a Rambassador, as well as the Vice President of the Ecology club and the school’s mascot, Rambo. 

The conference will be held at Troy University from May 24 to 26. The students are being sponsored by Auburn Bank in Valley. 

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Over 200 schools from around Alabama attend the conference, with up to two student representatives from each school participating. The students will stay in Troy’s dorms and eat in the dining hall during the weekend. 

According to the HOBY website, the program will feature speakers in different fields, including business, education, and government to, “address aspects of our changing world and the challenges future leaders will confront.”

Students attend the event between their sophomore and junior years of high school. Participants will engage in group discussions and informal debates during the weekend. It will also prepare the students to do a community service project within their communities involving at least 100 hours of service during the year following the seminar. 

The website states the seminar aims to help kids, “make a difference in your school, community, place of worship, or any other environment where you see a need.”