Sophomores excel at leadership conference

Last month, two of Poughkeepsie High School’s standout sophomores, Emily Tenecela and Edwin Silva, represented the district at the prestigious Hugh O'Brian Youth – or, HOBY – Leadership Conference, held at SUNY Albany. The weekend-long event gathers promising young leaders from across the region to discover their leadership styles, engage in community service, and build collaborative skills.
The students raved about the transformational experience, far surpassing initial expectations of a standard academic seminar. Emily and Edwin were immersed into a vibrant ecosystem of student leaders from all over eastern New York.
"I met many people from all through eastern New York and, despite our different backgrounds, we bonded quickly," Emily said. "There was a perfect balance between socializing, learning and just enjoying the moment."
They were challenged to break out of their comfort zones quickly, as the student were divided into distinct groups. Edwin noted the ice was broken quickly through activities that included team chants, cheers, trivia, escape challenges and other games.
"Through these groups, I met and befriended multiple people that made my experience there so much better," Edwin said. "HOBY did an outstanding job with getting everyone to socialize and work with each other."
The core of the conference focused on personal and organizational leadership. Students attended seminars led by dynamic guest speakers designed to help them identify their personal strengths and learn how to navigate group dynamics effectively. For Emily, a keynote by speaker Kate Woods was particularly impactful.
"Her words really spoke out to me because she understood the struggle of being understood as a young woman," Emily said. "Her advice was genuinely life-changing, and I will apply it to my life and future endeavors."
A central pillar of the HOBY experience was daily reflection. At the conclusion of each day, students gathered in circles with their color sections to unpack their experiences. Edwin's group focused on sharing "a good thing, a bad thing, and something we’re looking forward to."
He said, “By the end of the first day, almost everyone participated in these reflections and brought so many different takes, which were all very positive.”
Both students left SUNY Albany with a renewed sense of purpose, fresh perspectives, and a massive boost in confidence.
"Attending HOBY brought me so many new perspectives on life," Emily said. "It made me more outgoing, taught me to take command when needed, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend!"
Edwin strongly encourages future sophomores to seize the opportunity if given the chance.
"I would without a doubt recommend applying to HOBY... especially if you’re not as outgoing as other people,” he said.