Knightly News

This summer, Episcopal juniors Savanna Baker and Beau Legnon were selected to participate in the 2023 Louisiana HOBY State Leadership Seminar. According to HOBY Louisiana, the organization’s “mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. The national HOBY organization was founded by Hugh O’Brian in 1985 and boasts more than 500,000 global alumni.

Savanna shares more about the experience and the positive impact it had on her leadership skills.

Originally, I wanted to participate in HOBY to strengthen my leadership by learning "how to lead". I heard about the positive and judge-free environment HOBY stands by, which convinced me to apply. I was ecstatic that Episcopal enabled me to attend HOBY, and I will forever be grateful for this experience and opportunity. When I arrived at Southeastern, the unexpected experience of HOBY instantly started unfolding. I soon realized I was at HOBY not to be taught how to lead or think, but instead, I was there to find answers for myself and others. To be a strong leader, you must be open to facing these answers, as the art of consideration and acceptance are components of leading. These answers enable you to know yourself and others, allowing us to lead successfully.

As someone with anxiety, I have a constant fear of being wrong. But to be wrong is simply the necessary path to find answers. In the activities we participated in at HOBY, sometimes it seemed like we were set up for failure (which was intentional as it was vital for our learning experience). Despite the moments of failure we faced, there was success within. I learned that with every wrong, there is a right, which helped me gain the confidence I needed to speak up. I discussed life-changing events I never had before and began to branch out to everyone without the consuming fear of judgment. HOBY was life-changing for me and my leadership skills/style.

The ability to accept constructive criticism, at times, seems impossible. I was enlightened at HOBY after a series of speeches, debates, games, and discussions. Prior to my HOBY experience, I believed all criticism was to be avoided, but I learned that the answers that come with it serve a greater purpose than bringing you down. To not utilize the advice and the valuable opinions of others, is a common flaw in leadership. To be the change, we must listen to it. Thank you to Episcopal for granting students such an eye-opening opportunity. 

Please join us in congratulating Savanna and Beau on participating in HOBY and preparing to be the leaders of tomorrow!

Savanna Baker is a member of the Episcopal Honor Council, Ambassador Program, Thesis Program, and the Track and Field Team. In her free time, she enjoys making short films and participating in CrossFit workouts. Savanna is a junior and has attended Episcopal since Pre-K. 

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