As today’s youth grows more aware of the ordeals plaguing our society, adults have set up organizations which give students a proactive hand in creating a better and brighter future.

Neshaminy sophomore, Lauren Spitz, was selected to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference (affectionately known as “HOBY”) to do just that.

“It wasn’t so much about leadership but more about awareness,” Spitz said of her four day conference held near King of Prussia. Each day the 180 students would assemble and listen to “panels,” or speakers, who focused on a certain “hot topic” affecting students and the global community.

“Some of the topics were really interesting and made you want to get involved,” Spitz exclaimed.

Regarding her whole experience, Spitz said that she had fun, but that she felt the coordinators tried too hard to make it fun -the kind of fun that allots only 35 seconds for smiling and giggling before the next activity begins.

For lodging, the students stayed in rooms with other students at a nearby Hilton.

Saturday night a commencement dance was held to celebrate the grueling task of creating natural and ready leaders to glide us through the next century.

The Guidance Department here at Neshaminy had the monumental task of selecting Spitz.

“We chose Lauren because of her leadership potential, she was received well by her teachers, and she was enthusiastic about the program,” said James Weber, a guidance counselor who had the pleasure of giving Spitz this great opportunity.

“This is something that not a lot of people get to do and an experience that I will use greatly,” Spitz said. “We did volunteer work with underprivileged elementary school kids and that has really inspired me.” Her mission was complete.