SHS Sophomore Jordyn Samuels Selected as the 2025-2026 HOBY Representative for the Hugh O’ Brian Yourth (HOBY) State Leadership Conference in the Spring of 2026.  She is the daughter of Mark and Kari Samuels of Seward.  The selection to the State Leadership conference was based on written application, resume and personal interview.

Jordyn is a member of the SHS Cross Country Team, the SHS Track Team, Bowling, Ambassadors, Speech, Show Choir, FCCLA, Select Choir, Musical, FCA and the Bluejay Leadership Team. She was also a member of the SHS Quiz Bowl team and the Skills USA and participated in the Seward County Summer Honor Choir, and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward- and their Godparent program.  She has participated in a variety of activities at the Seward County Fair and the State Fair and won several writing award from the GFWC Seward Literature Contests. 

She was selected from a printed application and an “in person” interview on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at the Seward United Methodist Church. The winner will attend a three day youth leadership conference, at no expense to the student.  Previous SHS HOBY representatives, Avery Rodocker and Lexi Collings hosted the candidates and coordinated the times for the interviews with the judges. 

HOBY was founded by the late actor, Hugh O’Brian in 1958 as a nonprofit organization with the same mission we work toward today–to inspire a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation. Over 5000 high schools across the USA and worldwide participate in the annual conferences.  The program is officially endorsed by Rotary International, Kiwanis International and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs International (GFWC).

Seward has participated in the Nebraska HOBY program every year since it started in Nebraska, with Jennifer Kruse selected as the first SHS HOBY representative.

Traditionally, the Nebraska HOBY program is held on a college campus and this year’s site it yet to be announced. 

Locally, HOBY is sponsored by the GFWC Seward Womans Club, the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club, the Seward Rotary and the Seward Kiwanis Club, along with the Gifted Program of the School District of Seward. 

The student applicants each participated in a seven-minute interview at the Seward United Methodist Church in Seward, with the local selection panel-Bonnie Kruse-Representing the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, Jon Kruse-Representing the Seward Rotary Club, and Seward Kiwanis Members Courtney Meyer and Cindy Winter.

Seward Rotarian Greg Zabka coordinated the facilities for the interview and Seward Rotary Club member Clark Kolterman served as the local HOBY coordinator, assisted by SHS Counselor Noelle Baker.

Photo: L-R Jordyn Samuels-HOBY Representative from SHS, Judges Courtney Meyer-Seward Kiwanis Club, Jon Kruse-Seward Rotary Club, Bonnie Kruse-GFWC Seward Womans Club/Seward Rotary and Cindy Winter-Seward Kiwanis Club

At its August 20, 2026 club meeting, the Seward Rotary Club recognized Seward High School senior, Kayla Albright, as the Youth Rotarian of the Month. Kayla is the daughter of Brian and KaiPing Albright and is the first of 10 seniors to be recognized this academic year. Youth Rotarians of the Month are selected based on their service, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship efforts during high school. They receive a book scholarship for college and a bag of information about Seward. Monthly Youth Rotarians are also finalists for the Seward Youth Rotarian of the Year award which will be presented at the annual SHS Honors Night.

The motto of Rotary is “Service above self.” Kayla has documented more than 150 hours of community service during her high school career, using her talents and interests to help others. She contributes to the maintenance efforts at St. John Lutheran Church by mowing, landscaping, painting, assembling and moving furniture, and aiding with general upkeep. She has supported Olde Glory Community Theater and Seward Middle School with technical support for light and sound during theatrical and musical productions. She has also taught other students how to operate light and sound boards and to program light shows and scenes. Additionally, she has served as a camp counselor at her church to collaborate with others in providing music and leading activities for large groups of children.

Kayla is an exemplary student with a 4.2 GPA. She achieved a near perfect score of 35 on the ACT and a score of 1450 on the PSAT. She has earned 21 college credits through advance placement and dual credit opportunities in math, computer science, social sciences, literature, and writing. In her freshman and sophomore years, she was a member of SkillsUSA, Key Club, the select choir, and the show choir band. Kayla is a four-year participant in marching, symphonic, and jazz bands; wind ensemble, quizbowl, one acts, and musical tech. Kayla has been selected for several honor ensembles including All-State Band and Orchestra; and the Concordia, Central Conference, and UNK honor bands. As a sophomore, Kayla was named Section Leader in Marching Band. As a junior, she was selected as a Marching Band Drum Major and a Student Director for One Acts. Kayla continues these two roles as a senior. 

In addition to her service, academic, and leadership excellence, Kayla has contributed to society through her employment. In 2022 and 2023, Kayla served as a concession worker for B’s Sweet Freeze; and this past summer, Kayla completed a highly-competitive research internship with the Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience through the Young Nebraska Scientists foundation. She conducted research under the mentorship of UNL professors and experts in the fields of chemistry, quantum materials, physics, mathematics, and nanoscience. Specifically, she researched using Raman Spectroscopy for use in a field deployable nitrate sensor. She worked in Dr. Yinsheng Guo’s laser laboratory and presented her research at the summer research symposium at UNL.

Following graduation, Kayla plans to attend a university to study mathematics or physics with the goal of eventually achieving a doctoral degree. She hopes to continue researching with a focus in spectroscopy or optics. Her top choice is the University of Chicago. 

The Seward Rotary Club wishes the best to Kayla and all area seniors; and the club encourages each of them to embrace opportunities to serve others locally and around the world with their specific gifts and interests. Seniors are encouraged to stop by their school counselor’s office to obtain an application for this year’s Youth Rotarian program. They are due September 30, 2025.

The Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Department of Transportation have created a School Bus Stop Arm Awareness Video! Please watch to make sure you are following the rules as we've already had violations this year. #sewardjays

https://youtu.be/bKRhHI1DPr8