Local high school sophomores attend Hugh O'Brian Leadership Conference

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers PREPARING FOR TOMORROW- Local high school sophomores join peers from high schools throughout central California at the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership conference held at Cal Lutheran University in June. Posing with conference founder, former actor Hugh O'Brian, center, are from left, Naveen Balan and Hedy Chen from Newbury Park High School; Brianna Fischer and Ryan Chan from Oak Park High School; and Claudia Lopez from Westlake High School.

Local high school sophomores were among those selected to attend a threeday leadership skill development seminar on the campus of CLU earlier this month.

Sponsored by Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, the seminar is an annual event. Students are selected to attend based on their leadership potential.

Westlake Women's Club provided five area students with scholarships so that they could participate in the seminar. The students are Naveen Balan and Hedy Chen from Newbury Park High School; Brianna Fischer and Ryan Chan from Oak Park High School; and Claudia Lopez from Westlake High School. The club plans to host the students at one of their meetings, asking them to recount their experience at the seminar.

A highlight for this year's event included a visit and presentation from founder Hugh O'Brian. The veteran actor founded the program in 1958 after spending nine days with humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer.

HOBY aims "to provide lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential," according to an organization spokesperson.