SHS Sophomore Jordyn Samuels Selected as the 2025-2026 Seward High HOBY Representative for State Conference
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSHS 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