Long Beach Awards Youth Leadership Ambassadors

LONG BEACH, NY. — Long Beach High School sophomores Thomas Jacoby and Karina Rios received a prestigious award Thursday, as the duo were named the district’s Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) ambassador and alternate ambassador, respectively.

Founded in 1958 by actor Hugh O’Brian, HOBY is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that seeks to “inspire a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.” The organization holds leadership seminars at the local, state and international level.

“Hugh O’Brian believed in the potential of every human being and was committed to helping young people of the world become major contributors to society,” the organization’s website reads. “His legacy lives on today, with more than 500,000 HOBY alumni making a difference in the lives of others, thanks to the vision and passion of HOBY’s founder.”

As for Long Beach’s ambassadors, district officials said Jacoby and Rios have “impressed the committee with their commitment to service and their emerging leadership skills.” Also nominated for HOBY were sophomores Rebecca Arden, Sophia Lipkin, Grace Haglich, Audrey Maggio, Quinn Radin, Rylee Varian and Hailey Vordermeier.

The nominees were selected, district officials said, “for demonstrating strong character, initiative and leadership within our school community.”