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Local sophomores receive HOBY Leadership Award
HOBY Award pic
Dawson County High School sophomores MacKenzie Myers, left, and Katie Simmons are the 2009 recipients of the HOBY Leadership Award. The duo will represent Dawson County at the Georgia HOBY Conference in June at Berry College. - photo by Photo/Elizabeth Hamilton

The Dawson County Woman’s Club named Dawson County High School sophomores Katie Simmons and MacKenzie Myers as winners of the 2009 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership award.

  

Simmons and Myers received their awards at the board of education meeting  Jan. 12.

  

The award is presented annually by the woman’s club to high school sophomores.

  

The winners will participate in the Georgia HOBY Conference at Berry College in June. The trip will be all expense-paid and will be covered by the local woman’s club and Ric Rack, a local thrift store and food bank.

  

“The HOBY Leadership organization will be celebrating its 50th anniversary as the top youth leadership development organization in the United States,” said Mary Bob Fox, woman’s club member.

  

The mission of HOBY is to inspire and develop the global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. Its core values are volunteerism, integrity, excellence, diversity and community partnership.

  

Dawson County High School students who have attended past conferences state that it is the best experience that each has ever had, according to the local woman’s club.

  

Katie Simmons is an honor roll student, a sophomore Student Government Association representative, and a member of Future Business Leaders of America. She is active in church and youth groups, and volunteers through Family Connection and Keep Dawson County Beautiful.

  

Simmons plans to one day become a pediatric nurse.

  

“I am looking forward to the conference and excited that there are two of us going,” said Simmons.

  

MacKenzie Myers is an honor roll student, a sophomore Student Government Association representative, has been a member of Spanish Club, Interact Club, Drama Club and enjoys Big Canoe Photographic Society.

  

Myers is a member of Young Life and enjoys volunteering through the organization. She also volunteers with Student Government community projects and with the Senior Center.

  

She has helped with the Heart Walk and serves as a photographer for special events.

  

Myers is planning a career in photojournalism or creative writing.

  

“I am excited about the conference,” Myers commented. “I think its going to be a great experience.”

  

E-mail Elizabeth Hamilton at elizabeth@dawsonnews.com.