Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar takes place in Manhattan during the summer before a student enters their junior year.

The seminar allows for students to build on their leadership skills, bond with students who have similar perspectives as themselves, and get out of their shell.

“It’s an opportunity to learn leadership skills and bring those skills back to Hays High and the community,” counselor Suellyn Stenger said.

Every year, two students are chosen by the counselors and sponsored by the Hays Optimist Club who pays for half of the fee of $200.

“Students write a 100-word essay and then the counselors choose them,” Stenger said. “The optimists have been very generous in sponsoring a student. We’ve been able to choose two students with the students and optimists sharing the cost.”

This year, the students chosen are sophomores Emily Goetz and Maddie Lohmeyer. The alternate is Marshall Perryman.

“I think that I am very grateful to be accepted into it because I know quite a few people wanted to go out for it,” Goetz said. “I think that I’m a person who likes to stay to myself, and I think I might be open to different people by going.”

Both of the girls are most excited to meet new people.

“I’m kind of shy, so I think all of those people will be kind of chaotic,” Lohmeyer said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

19ibraun@usd489.com